Ottawa Senators Trade Rumors

Senators Forum Top 3
Sens buying, but likely not Kovalchuk
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January 25
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators will be buyers before the March 3 NHL trade deadline, just don't expect them to be involved in the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes. While the Senators are on a six-game win streak, GM Bryan Murray is still looking to improve and with only three weeks until the Olympic break begins, trade talk is expected to heat up as teams try to position themselves for their runs to the post-season. If the Senators have a wish list, it would likely include another scoring forward. That won't be Kovalchuk because Atlanta's asking price is going to be high for a rental player with a cap hit of $6.4 million (all terms US). The Thrashers are expected to demand established NHLers, along high-end ..."
Spezza and Michalek about a week away from returning
Comment
January 20
Ottawa Sun
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"For the Senators, injured winger Milan Michalek (concussion) and centre Jason Spezza (knee) were both on the ice this morning at Scotiabank Place. Spezza and Michalek are both likely a week away from returning to the lineup. There is no change in the status of goalie Pascal Leclaire, who is also sidelined with a concussion."
Flip Kuba might return tonight
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January 18
Ottawa Sun
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"Kuba, who's been out four games with an "upper body" injury, yesterday revealed its origin and explained why he had to pull himself from an expected return vs. the Habs. "The hand is doing better every day. I think (today) will be the first game back, I think," said the big defenceman. "Before practice, I thought it was good ... I can't really feel what's going on with it off the ice, but after the (Saturday morning skate) I knew it was not ready.""
Quick-healing Alfredsson could suit up Saturday
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January 10
Ottawa Citizen
 
"It's not the most enticing prospect. The Ottawa Senators begin a five-game road trip today in Carolina without their top line of Daniel Alfredsson (left shoulder separation), Jason Spezza (right knee) and Milan Michalek (possible concussion). However, there's an outside chance the Senators will get one of their three stars back before the end of the trip as Alfredsson appears to be making another miraculous recovery. It was initially thought he'd be out until at least the end of January, but he's already skated three times on his own and coach Cory Clouston said Saturday there's a good chance he'll join the team later in the week. A good bet is that it will be in Montreal for Saturday's ..."
Bet on Gionta returning to Canadiens lineup against Senators
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December 28
Montreal Gazette
 
"The moment of truth will come Monday morning, but the smart money says Brian Gionta will return to the Canadiens' lineup for Monday night's game against the Ottawa Senators (7:30 p.m., TSN, RDS,. CJAD Radio-800). "I feel pretty good," Gionta said after the Canadiens practiced Sunday afternoon at the Carleton Ice House. He has been out of the lineup since Nov. 14 with a broken foot, but he left the team last Tuesday in Carolina so that he could return to Montreal to get medical clearance to play. "I can do everything, but we'll wait until tomorrow to see how it reacts," Gionta said. "If it reacts positively, there's a possibility I'll play tomorrow." Gionta practiced Sunday on a line with ..."
Sens' Foligno to miss at least two weeks
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December 18
Ottawa Sun
 
"Nick Foligno is expected to miss the next two weeks due to a meniscus tear in his right knee, an injury he suffered Monday in Toronto. The Senators winger will have an arthroscopic procedure on his knee Friday."
Donovan hopes to play soon despite torn ACL
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December 18
Ottawa Sun
 
"Details of the latest on their laundry list of injuries had just been reported to the media when Shean Donovan — the first of those fallen Senators who are still down — quietly confirmed he has a torn ACL in his right knee. Not good. When the popular winger was sent to the sidelines by a Matt Cooke hit Nov. 19, the diagnosis was he had a torn MCL that would keep him out of action for 6-8 weeks, much like the sorry situation Jason Spezza is now in. In Donovan's case, the word was it might be at least that long before it can be determined if there was also ACL damage and, if so, the 34-year-old veteran's season could be over, if not his career. So why, then, was he flashing that big ..."
No Spezza — and no deal for Senators
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December 17
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators shouldn't be waiting for help with Jason Spezza sidelined until after the Olympics. The club confirmed Spezza will be out 6-8 weeks with a torn MCL he suffered Monday against the Maple Leafs, but GM Bryan Murray told reporters he's not going to be making a deal anytime soon. The Senators will have to soldier on without their top centre. Murray said he can't afford to make a deal unless another GM is willing to take a contract off his hands. The Senators have just $1.5 million in salary-cap room. The Christmas roster freeze goes into effect Saturday and there are no deals on the frontburner. "Right now, there's nothing to look for," said Murray. "We're going to have to play ..."
Murray in no hurry to deal following Spezza injury
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December 17
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Bryan Murray is in no rush to find a replacement for injured centre Jason Spezza outside of the organization. And even if Murray wanted to make a trade, he has few, if any, options. "Right now, there's nothing to look for," Murray said while talking about Spezza's torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee, which will likely keep him out of the lineup until after the Olympic break. "At this point in time, we have to play with the lineup we have. It has do to with salary cap space (and other issues). If something comes along, we'll take that step, but, for the time being, it's a test of the character we have." The Senators are between $1 million U.S. and $1.5 million below the cap ..."
Spezza could miss up to two months
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December 16
NHL.com
 
"Ottawa center Jason Spezza was already having a rough season statistically, but now he won't be able to do anything about it for what could be two months. Plus, he's lost any hope, at least what remained of it, of making Canada's Olympic team. Spezza suffered a right knee injury with 30 seconds left in a 3-2 loss to Toronto on Monday night after Leafs' forward Lee Stempniak fell on him. Reports out of Ottawa are saying Spezza could be gone until after the Olympic Break. Spezza was a long shot for Team Canada anyway due to his slow start (5 goals and 14 assists for 19 points and a minus-5 rating in 30 games). However, he received a late invite to the Canadian Olympic Orientation Camp, so he ..."
Spezza leaves ice with leg injury
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December 15
TSN.ca
 
"Senators forward Jason Spezza left the ice late in the third period of Ottawa's game with the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight with what appeared to be a leg injury. Spezza appeared to get tangled up with Leafs' forward Lee Stempniak off of a faceoff and Stempniak appeared to roll over on Spezza's right leg."
Senators could have Picard Saturday
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December 11
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Defenceman Alexandre Picard, out with an upper body injury, could return on Saturday when the Ottawa Senators host the Carolina Hurricanes at Scotiabank Place. Picard has been out since leaving last week's game against the Los Angeles Kings early. His return could spell bad news for Chris Campoli, who figures to be the healthy scratch."
Spezza, Kovalev exposed as Senators' losses mount
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December 10
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The Ottawa Senators' strong start this season was like a warm blanket wrapped around Alex Kovalev and Jason Spezza, keeping them nice and comfortable as they worked out issues with their games. The standard excuse for Kovalev's poor production was his having to adapt to a new city and hockey system. For Spezza, it was finding a way to continue at a point-per-game pace while still skating back to play some defence once in a while. Now that the wins have stopped, however, the struggling stars are no longer getting the benefit of the doubt. Not from fans, not from the owner and not from the coach. Cory Clouston acknowledged Wednesday that the team is getting close to hitting a very damaging ..."
Leclaire likely back in 10 days
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December 10
Ottawa Sun
 
"Pascal Leclaire should be able to return to the Senators' net to face either the Minnesota Wild Dec. 19 or the Boston Bruins Dec. 21. Of course, sooner would be better for a team that heads to Philadelphia and tomorrow's meeting with the Flyers having won just one of its last six games. Leclaire, Ottawa's No. 1 goalie, has been out since suffering a broken cheekbone while sitting on the bench during a game on Nov. 23. Leclaire was back on the ice taking a few shots yesterday and again today before team practices at Scotiabank Place. "Probably another 10 days," coach Cory Clouston said when asked about Leclaire"s expected return. "Basically, when he's ready to practice he's ready to play ..."
Senators' Cheechoo, Michalek excited about return to San Jose
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November 30
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Before they joined the Ottawa Senators in the Dany Heatley trade, Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek knew only one National Hockey League team: the San Jose Sharks. So it was not without a little nervousness that the two of them touched down in California on Sunday, almost three months after the trade. They don't know what awaits them, how they will be greeted and how they in turn will react. It's always tough to go home. Both were drafted by the Sharks — Cheechoo in 1998 (second round, 29th overall), Michalek in 2003 (first round, sixth overall) — and had their most productive seasons, so far, in San Jose. Cheechoo led the league in goals with 56 in 2005-06, while Michalek had a career ..."
Good news for Senator
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November 27
Ottawa Sun
 
"Chris Neil still needs more tests on his injured knee, but the initial prognosis is the Senators winger won't be out of the lineup for too long. "Probably a couple weeks ... 10 days to two weeks, by the looks of it right now," coach Cory Clouston said this morning at Scotiabank Place. Neil left last night's 3-1 loss at the New Jersey Devils in the first period, after he was hit by New Jersey's Andrew Peters. "To miss some games ... it's not as bad now as if it was closer to the playoffs," said Neil."
Hat trick of injuries for Senators
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November 26
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Apparently for the Ottawa Senators, bad things do happen in threes. Top centre Mike Fisher and No. 1 goaltender Pascal Leclaire were out for Wednesday's game against New Jersey because of injuries suffered on consecutive days this week. Then, against the Devils, rugged winger Chris Neil joined the list of injured Senators. Neil limped off the ice in the first period after being hit into the boards behind the Senators' goal line by Devils heavyweight Andrew Peters. Neil was slow to get to his feet and then skated gingerly to the bench, favouring his left leg as he went immediately to the dressing room. He didn't return. In the second period, the Senators got another scare when defenceman ..."
Leclaire injured in Senators' victory over Sabres
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November 22
Vancouver Province
 
"To borrow from Satchel Paige, the Buffalo Sabres shouldn't look back. Something might be gaining on them. The "something" is the Ottawa Senators, now just one point behind the Northeast Division leaders after handling the Sabres 5-3 at Scotiabank Place on Saturday night. The Senators have won three straight for the first time this season; for the Sabres it's their first three-game losing streak. In the dressing room, the usual joyous mood from having whipped Pittsburgh and Buffalo in consecutive games was tempered by the loss of starting goaltender Pascal Leclaire to a lower-body injury. Leclaire was hurt in the second period when Buffalo's Jochen Hecht fell on him in a goalmouth scramble. ..."
Donovan could be Cooked
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November 21
Ottawa Sun
 
"Shean Donovan will get an idea today when he'll be able to resume his NHL career. The Senators veteran winger can only hope he gets the chance. Donovan suffered a potentially career-threatening knee injury on a knee-on-knee hit by Penguins agitator Matt Cooke late in Thursday night's 6-2 win and could be lost for the rest of the season. Senators GM Bryan Murray said he was upset by the hit which saw Cooke stick out his right knee and catch Donovan's right knee in the neutral-zone collision with 4:23 left in the game. Murray spoke to NHL executive VP and director of hockey operations Colin Campbell yesterday, but Murray said he did not expect there to be any supplementary discipline. Cooke ..."
We have to add player: Sens GM
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November 10
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray is pleased with his team's performance this season, but he isn't done tinkering yet. "We have to make a tweak if we can," Murray said Monday before heading to Toronto, where the National Hockey League's 30 general managers are meeting this week to discuss head shots, rule changes, equipment standards and maybe a deal or two. "Very definitely, we have to find a way to get at least one more player here," he said, acknowledging that player would probably be another forward. "I'm certainly going to investigate as we go forward here to see if there's anything more we can do, and at some point we'll figure out if we need to make a change." The ..."
Spezza a maybe
Comment
November 5
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The Ottawa Senators will be crossing their fingers that centre Jason Spezza's back feels OK when he shows up for Thursday morning's pre-game skate. That will determine whether he returns after a two-game absence and plays Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning or whether he sits again. Coach Cory Clouston was buoyed by Spezza's performance in Wednesday's practice, but said he'd reserve judgment until Thursday morning. "He looked good, so as long as everything holds true to the way it was (Wednesday), he'll play," Clouston said. Spezza was upbeat. He has been about the only beneficiary of the long layoff the team has had since playing Atlanta on Saturday afternoon. It was a plus that he ..."
Melnyk wants his money back
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November 4
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The current battle between Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and superstar Dany Heatley could set the emotional level for the National Hockey League's next round of contract talks. The NHL has served the NHL Players' Association a grievance over a $4-million US signing bonus Melnyk had to pay Heatley on July 1 after the disgruntled forward refused a trade to the Edmonton Oilers. Melnyk wants his money back. He thinks Heatley should have accepted the trade. Heatley, who demanded a trade, had a no-movement clause in his contract, which did give him the right to veto a trade. Melnyk might be stuck by the very contract he approved for Heatley. However, at the time the possibility of a ..."
Spezza out another week
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November 3
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators expect to have to wait until at least the end of the week before Jason Spezza will be ready to return to the lineup. The Ottawa centre wasn't on the ice today and the team does not expect him to play Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Scotiabank Place. It will be the third straight game Spezza has missed with what's believed to be a back/groin injury which has hampered him since the start of training camp. "He's doubtful for Thursday," said coach Cory Clouston as the team returned to the ice today."
Spezza won't play Saturday, Volchenkov out 3 weeks
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October 30
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Jason Spezza will miss his second straight game Saturday, when the Ottawa Senators play host to the Atlanta Thrashers. The Senators will also be without defenceman Anton Volchenkov, who suffered an elbow injury Wednesday and is expected to be out for three weeks. Spezza's injury has been labelled as "upper body" injury, but has all the appearances of being a back ailment."
Sens face decision on rookie Karlsson
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October 27
Ottawa Sun
 
"There could soon be a vacancy at Hotel Alfredsson. It's the room that's been occupied by Erik Karlsson for the past month and a half. No final decision has been announced, but the Senators appear to be leaning toward sending their top prospect back to Sweden for the season. They are as excited as ever about Karlsson, the 15th overall pick in the 2008 entry draft, but they have concerns about the slight defenceman's confidence as he battles through the growing pains of his first year in the NHL. And, for the most part, it has been a battle. Karlsson, who is averaging 17:25 of ice time, has no goals and three assists through nine games. He is also tied with Alex Kovalev for the worst ..."
Michalek may sit with upper body injury
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October 24
Ottawa Citizen
 
"There will be changes to the lineup tonight as the Ottawa Senators try to rebound from their 6-5 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators, but it looks as if they will come because of injury and illness. Jason Spezza (bumps and bruises), Milan Michalek (upper body) and Pascal Leclaire (flu) were all missing from Friday's practice. Of the three, only Spezza is definitely expected to play against the Boston Bruins. Michalek and Leclaire are question marks, said coach Cory Clouston, who was still awaiting a report detailing the seriousness of Michalek's injury. As well, Jesse Winchester was missing, but only because he'd been assigned to the Binghamton Senators for a two-week conditioning ..."
GM: Karlsson staying put
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October 15
Ottawa Sun
 
"Erik Karlsson isn't going anywhere. Except back out on the ice for another 18 minutes a game or so. Senators GM Bryan Murray said the ups and downs being experienced by the 19-year-old rookie defenceman are anticipated. He said the approaching 10-game mark — beyond which will make this season count as a year for contract purposes and bring him closer to free agency — is not a factor in deciding what's best for Karlsson, the club's top pick in the 2008 draft. "I don't know why people are caught up with Erik. He's a young guy who's going to be an NHL player. Is he going to be here every game? I don't know. But the 10-game mark is not a trigger point for any outrageous decisions," said ..."
Spezza, Neil in scuffle at Senators practice
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October 9
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Jason Spezza and Chris Neil, seatmates in the Ottawa dressing room, started some fireworks at the end of today's practice with a brief fight. It started when Neil slashed Spezza. Spezza slashed back. At that point, the gloves came off. A couple of glancing blows were thrown before teammates broke up the fight. Spezza brushed it off."
Zubov asks Senators for trade
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September 30
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Another disgruntled player has asked the Ottawa Senators for a trade. Ilya Zubov, who was projected to take a serious run at a spot on the NHL team's roster but didn't even survive to final cuts, apparently isn't pleased with his demotion to AHL Binghamton. He told the press there that he and the team have already spoken about making a move. Bingo television station Fox 40 quoted him as saying: "I'm not very happy about it. It's not what I want. Both me and the Ottawa team (talked) and I might get traded soon.""
Sens place Schubert on waivers
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September 29
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The Ottawa Senators reduced their roster on Monday by putting Christoph Schubert on waivers and demoting Zack Smith to Binghamton. If Schubert clears waivers, he'll report to Binghamton. The moves leaves Ottawa's roster at 24 players. Coach Cory Clouston said it's possible two more moves will be made over the next two days, one at forward, one on defence."
Murray has deals in mind
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September 23
Ottawa Sun
 
"Senators GM Bryan Murray conceded yesterday that forward Peter Regin will start the season in Ottawa and indicated rookie defenceman Erik Karlsson is also on the verge of earning a roster spot. While that's good for the young Dane and young Swede, it means some of the team's veterans should be very nervous. With only Friday's home game against the Bruins left on the pre-season schedule before the Senators make final cuts to reach their 21-man roster, Murray will try to find a new home for a couple of veteran players to open up roster spots and save some salary cap space. "It's a hard time of year because organizations have lots of young players that are going to be looked at," said Murray. ..."
Sharks acquire Heatley
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September 13
San Jose Mercury News
 
"With one trade on the opening day of training camp, the Sharks answered two of the major questions circulating around the NHL all summer: How will the Dany Heatley melodrama end in Ottawa? And will San Jose ever make the blockbuster move everybody has been expecting since that embarrassing first-round playoff exit last spring? The Sharks acquired the high-scoring Heatley and a fifth-round draft pick Saturday from the Senators for forwards Milan Michalek and Jonathan Cheechoo and a second-round selection in a deal that turned out to be less complicated than many of the rumored transactions that surfaced in the past week. "When you get a player of this caliber, it can only make you better," ..."
Sharks deny Marleau report
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September 11
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Sharks general manager Doug Wilson told The Chronicle that an ESPN.com report that San Jose has agreed to trade the team's all-time leading scorer, Patrick Marleau, and acquire Ottawa forward Dany Heatley is "complete bull." According to ESPN.com, the Sharks have reached an agreement to send Marleau, recently stripped of his title as team captain, to Los Angeles as part of a three-way deal that would bring Heatley to San Jose and send Alexander Frolov and Jarret Stoll to the Senators. Wilson, Kings general manager Dean Lombardi and Senators GM Bryan Murray issued denials to ESPN.com. Heatley, a two-time 50-goal scorer, has requested a trade, but, like Marleau, his contract has a no-trade ..."
McKenzie: No Truth To Reports That Heatley Has Been Traded
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September 11
TSN.ca
 
"Here we go again. Amid reports that the Ottawa Senators have traded Dany Heatley to the San Jose Sharks as part of a three-way deal with the Los Angeles Kings, sources tell TSN nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, sources tell TSN that not only is the report of a three-way deal being done not true, but the Senators are no closer to trading Heatley now than they have been for most of the summer."
Heatley deal may be days away
Comment
September 10
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray was standing in the lobby of the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium late Wednesday afternoon when a cellphone rang. Murray reached for his phone out of reflex, but he came up empty. It wasn't his phone that was ringing. "I knew it wasn't going to be mine," he said. "No one calls me." It sounded funny, but it wasn't. Murray spent a lot of hours on Tuesday talking to a couple of teams about a deal involving Dany Heatley, the unhappy Senators left-winger who has demanded a trade. No one called back. And as Murray left the arena, he had no expectations that anyone would call any time soon, meaning that Heatley would be compelled to return a team for ..."
Heatley interests Sharks
Comment
September 10
Ottawa Sun
 
"Dany Heatley is expected to arrive in Ottawa today, but he could eventually find his way to San Jose. Two league executives told Sun Media Wednesday they've heard talk the Senators, Sharks and Kings have discussed a three-way deal that would send Heatley to San Jose, centre Jarrett Stoll and winger Alexander Frolov to Ottawa and centre Patrick Marleau to the Kings. Sharks GM Doug Wilson has insisted he has "never" asked Marleau to waive his no-trade clause. The executive said Marleau, recently stripped of his captaincy by the Sharks, likely wouldn't remove the clause to move East, but might be enticed if he could stay in the West. While Senators GM Bryan Murray confirmed he talked to ..."
No way out? New York looks good
Comment
September 9
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The countdown is on. T-minus 48 hours to the first team function involving Dany Heatley. The Senators hold their annual golf tournament in Kanata on Friday, and Heatley has given every indication he will be there, swinging from the hips, looking for fairways if not fair weather -- so many have said his presence after a summer-long trade request brings a dark cloud over the franchise. There may only be days to spare, but it remains to be seen whether the reluctant Senator will actually have to show his face in Ottawa. It would certainly appear that no trade is imminent, but the rumours continue to come at us from all angles. One that made a lot of sense, and still does, involved the New ..."
Heatley has ticket to ride
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September 8
Ottawa Sun
 
"Dany Heatley has booked his flight to Ottawa. But he's holding out hope his travel plans will change before then. The Senators winger confirmed he'll be in Ottawa later this week in time to participate in the club's annual golf tournament Friday at Kanata Lakes and take part in medicals Saturday at Scotiabank Place, but his agent, J.P. Barry, told Sun Media he believes there's still time for a trade. While Barry isn't sure if the deal Heatley requested in June from the Senators is going to happen by the weekend, the agent said the disgruntled winger is willing to meet with GM Bryan Murray and coach Cory Clouston before camp opens. Heatley will also likely have to address the situation with ..."
Heatley's return looking likely
Comment
September 6
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Don't throw that Dany Heatley jersey away yet. It's looking more and more like you'll be able to wear it this season. As of Saturday afternoon, Heatley remained a Senator and general manager Bryan Murray wasn't expecting his phone to ring with an offer any time soon. If trading Heatley before the start of training camp on Saturday would be the best resolution for everyone, as captain Daniel Alfredsson said on Friday, then it looks like the Senators can begin bracing for the worst. Murray just isn't having any luck. "I don't even know what to say," Murray said Saturday, after watching the NHL team's rookies go through their first practice session. "I've talked to a couple of teams, we've ..."
Heatley's return to Sens looking more likely
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September 6
Ottawa Sun
 
"The Senators are trying to help Dany Heatley move — back to Ottawa, for now. Camp invitations were sent out to Senators players last week and the unhappy winger, who has asked for a trade, was told if he needed any help making travel arrangements between his summer home in Kelowna, B.C. and Ottawa, the team would be happy to help. Murray said the chances of deal happening before camp, which begins Saturday, are slim. "There is nothing new to report," said Murray. "Time is just kind of winding down here towards next week. I've talked to a couple of teams. We've gone back and forth, but it's not anything differ than has been said before. "Basically, what I've said (to other teams) is just ..."
Comrie not averse to being Oiler again
Comment
September 5
Edmonton Journal
 
"Turns out time can heal most wounds. Despite being lumped into the same division as villains Chris Pronger, Dany Heatley and Michael Nylander, Mike Comrie is not ruling out a second go-round with the Edmonton Oilers. Following a pre-camp conditioning session at a south side Edmonton rink on Friday, Comrie did not want to talk specifically about the Oilers but did say that it was one of the clubs that his camp has been speaking too. He also knows that because Edmonton is his hometown and because he left after an acrimonious contract dispute, there is heightened interest in his next move. He's OK with all of that. "To comment on (what it would be like to come back) is a little premature. ..."
Alfie: Best If He Were Gone
Comment
September 5
Ottawa Citizen
 
"The best resolution to the Dany Heatley saga for everyone would be to trade the disgruntled left-winger before the start of training camp on Sept. 12, says Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson. Alfredsson also said, in his strongest comments on the situation to date, he is not sure that Heatley has told all of the reasons behind his demand to be traded. Two weeks ago, in a conference call before the start of the Team Canada orientation camp, Heatley said he wanted to be traded because he felt he had a diminished role under head coach Cory Clouston. Asked on Friday if he thought that was a legitimate reason, Alfredsson expressed skepticism. "All I know is that he has his reasons," ..."
Murray keen to avoid Heatley distraction
Comment
September 3
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray continues to think about setting a deadline to trade Dany Heatley. The drop-dead date could end up being Sept. 12, the first day of training camp. However, in such a fluid environment as the NHL, where anything can happen at any time, the last thing Murray wants is to be bound by a self-imposed timeline to make a deal. The reality is that Heatley doesn't want to be in Ottawa. If he were forced to return, he would be a disruption. The team's entire season could be ruined from the start, and that can't be allowed to happen. Whenever a good deal comes along, be it next week or even the week after, Murray knows he has to be ready to accept it. So ..."
Cogliano shaken by proposed trade
Comment
September 3
Edmonton Journal
 
"Escaping the subject was not an option for Andrew Cogliano. He was intrinsically linked to the drawn-out summer trade talk that had him going to the Ottawa Senators, along with Edmonton Oilers teammates Ladislav Smith and Dustin Penner, for sniper Dany Heatley. "I had people coming up and asking when I was going to go to Ottawa. It's tough," Cogliano said on Wednesday. "And when it goes on for a month, you just want to get it behind you. I didn't know what was going on. I had no idea what was happening. I was just the guy in the middle of all of it. "I didn't picture myself leaving Edmonton for a long time," he continued. "All of a sudden, when it comes out of nowhere, your initial thought ..."
Sens' Jason Smith to retire
Comment
September 3
Toronto Sun
 
"Jason Smith is calling it a career. The 35-year-old defenceman has called a news conference for 10 a.m. with team general manager Bryan Murray this morning at Scotiabank Place where he's expected to announce his retirement after an NHL career that has spanned 17 years. Smith was signed as an unrestricted free agent to a two-year contract last summer. The decision by Smith will allow Murray and the Senators to wipe his $2.6 million salary off their cap this year, which will give the club some flexibility because they were approximately $1.3 million over the NHL salary cap."
Heatley deadline on the way, Murray says
Comment
September 1
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Since mid-June, when his demand for a trade was first revealed, the clock has been ticking on Dany Heatley. Now, with a little more than one week before the start of training camp, Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray is suggesting that the time is almost up. On Monday, he said he was ready to impose a drop-dead date to trade the disgruntled winger. There is a lot at stake for the team, which is seeking to rebound from a terrible 2008-09 season that saw it miss the playoffs for the first time in 12 years. In an economy that is just starting to emerge from a recession, the team can't afford to begin the season with a cloud over its head. For better or worse, it needs some clarity, ..."