Fisher "surprised" and "upset" by Heatley's trade demand
by PeterR on Jun 12, 2009 1:42 PM EDT
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Ottawa Sun columnist interviewed Senators' centreman Mike Fisher about his now former-teammate Dany Heatley's trade demand for the tabloid today, and offered some of Fisher's thoughts scattered within his unabashed slander of Heatley. Fisher said that his whole team was in shock over the announcement, and suggested he had no idea Heatley's disagreement with rookie coach Cory Clouston was so pronounced. I'll do you a favour and filter out Brennan's awfully transparent personal attack and present you Fisher's quotes on their own, and then (if you'd like) take the jump to laugh with me at how cheated Brennan apparently feels about this thing.
"I still can't believe it," Fisher, one of the Senators' true leaders, said from his Peterborough-area cottage. "It kind of came out of the blue. It shocked everyone. All the players.
"I'm disappointed and surprised and a little upset, for sure."
[...]
"I don't know anything other than what I hear from (other Senators)," said Fisher. "I think everyone on the team knows that it went down, but I don't know any more. I'm hoping there will be something more ... it doesn't seem like Heater to do anything like this."
[...]
"I didn't know it would come to this point," he said. "Everyone knew his ice time was down and he was discouraged. But players have disagreements with coaches all the time ... I never thought it would come to this."
[...]
"When everyone signed (the multi-year deals) it was because they wanted to play here," said Fisher. "That meant under the coach's system. It has to be the No. 1 priority. That's how you be a team. That's what Cory demands. It's what we all have to do to have a better year."
[...]
"Heater has done so much good here," said Fisher. "He's a good guy ... he was a great teammate. This is just so surprising."
[...]
"I don't know everything that's out there," said Fisher, referring to available players and soon-to-be free agents. "It's too hard to say what we can get.
"It's put Bryan in a difficult situation. (No matter who he gets) I think for sure, we'll be missing a guy like that, but somebody's going to be getting those passes from Spetz.
"Obviously, it's going to be hard to replace Heater. But we'll find a way."
Now, onto Brennan's smear. I will agree with anyone who says Heatley's actions have been untoward, and he's completely turning his back on an agreement he made with a franchise that a lot of us, mainstream media members included, have invested much time, money, and emotion into. And I think fans have every right to boo Heatley when he comes to town, an expression of their frustration at another star player who's crapped on our hearts. But really, this is a little much--especially from someone who's supposed to be reporting the news:
Like a child, Heatley seemingly doesn't understand the word commitment.
Are you kidding me, Brennan? This kind of journalism isn't even worth the 25-cent cover price of the Sun, these days.
Let's get real: Most beat writers are fans of their teams. As much as they might try to stay impartial, it's difficult. But it doesn't even seem like Brennan is trying to be at all reasonable in this column. It's ridiculous, and it actually kind of offends me as a Senators fan. It's as if he believes I can't draw my own conclusions on this matter, and so he's going to shove them down my throat. And I doubt players appreciate the unfair treatment which they receive from Brennan and Bruce 'Malkin to the Kings' Garrioch dish out in the papers. When it's not slander, it's 'rumours' and 'speculation'.
Brennan, you can do better. You come off sounding like an upset fanboy who didn't get seconds of desert after dinner. Is this writing actually a serious attempt at journalism?
Meanwhile, the sound you do not hear is the barking. Dany the Dog has decided to keep his muzzle on for now.
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The Sun showing no respect for its readers? Go on, tell me another one.
by dzuunmod on Jun 12, 2009 3:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
In the End, They All Go Away
Sadly, all the people trashing Heatley now will be the same people spending next year wishing he was here, just like they wish Chara was still here.
In fact, Heatley’s actions are not unlike those of Chara, who was also deeply offended by the media (after his last playoff run as a Senator) and who felt slighted by the team’s management. He wanted out of Ottawa asap and felt no kinship to this city. He just waited for free agency, which was around the corner, and bolted.
Lets face it, players’ loyalty to their organization runs about as deep as the organization’ s loyalty to their players – not very deep… Hey, Gretsky was traded by the Oilers, the Leafs alienated Keon, the Blackhawks made an enemy of Bobby Hull for years, Lafleur was pushed out by coach Lemaire who wanted a defensive system, Patrick roy hated coach Tremblay and asked to be traded, and eventually Alfie will have overstayed his welcome too. The Ottawa press will say that he’s washed-up and management will quietly push him aside, or he will be rented out for one last run at the cup.
So, lets not be too harsh because Heatley is thinking of #1. It is hardly unusual and I kinda get it…
When you boil it down, Ottawa is a toxic team that is going nowhere. Despite being THE marquis player, who produced huge offensive numbers, Heatley was singled out by his new hard-ass rookie coach, who talked down to him through the press and cut his icetime. Then there’s the media… He hates the Ottawa sports media (heck, I hate them too) who are irreverent and relentless, because they know he hates them. So, what’s the motivation to stay, exactly?
So far, all the furious fans quote the big money paid to him… The money is as good in any other city, isn’t it?!
Or, is it because this is a so-called REAL hockey market that Heatley should want to stay? Every player should want to play in a hockey crazy Canadian city right!?
Well, I have news for you folks, most of them would rather live in the US, where they can walk down the street without some beer-bellied moron offering strategic advice and where they can be normal when off the ice.
In fact, despite our collective superiority complex in Ottawa, what really worries me is that the dominos are about to start falling… Heatley, then Spezza (who re-signed here mostly because of Heatley) and so on.
As for Fisher and his rightous indignation… he’s a perfect example of what’s wrong with this team. He is paid way too much for what he contributes, which isn’t much. Yet he’s been called a leader by the media because he’s part of the religious clic – that infamous little sub-culture in the Sens dressing room that can do no wrong (but that’s for another rant!)
So, why don’t we just resign ourselves to the simple truth that, In the end, they all go away. Yashin and Daigle might not have been missed… but Heatley, Havlat, Hossa, Chara, Straka, Demitra, Salo, Meszaros, Corvo, Commodore, Stillman… all having passed through here are long gone. What’s left is no better. What’s left is here for only a short time – don’t get too attached and don’t go nuts when one of the beloved boys asks to be traded.
by Wall Street on Jun 13, 2009 12:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hey Wall Street, shouldn’t you be out on a ledge somewhere?
I think these are exciting times for the Sens, thats not to say there isnt also a negative aspect to this, but they are exciting times….oh, and I don’t miss Commodore.
by alfie4PM on Jun 13, 2009 1:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Should I jump!?
LOL! Times are tough all around, but I’m doing much better than the Sens… (I don’t miss Commodore much either… good point)
by Wall Street on Jun 14, 2009 2:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sick of people talking about Ottawa's "toxic" dressing room
Ottawa has some of the league’s most upstanding citizens. Mike Fisher toxic? Give me a break, you’re way off-base. Daniel Alfredsson is a hero in the city, and not by mistake—he’s a strong character. Nick Foligno, Jesse Winchester, and Ryan Shannon are some of the nicest kids you can ever meet. I don’t think Anton Volchenkov has ever said anything mean about anyone ever in his life. Jason Smith is one of the league’s best leaders. If you think Jason Spezza is going to demand a trade now, think again; he’s going to come out of this looking like the hero, just as Alfredsson came out heroic after the Alexei Yashin thing.
Look to Spezza to re-commit to the agreement he’s made with the Ottawa Senators, and have one of his strongest all-around years (if perhaps not statistically) this upcoming season.
by PeterR on Jun 13, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Delete TOXIC and Insert Divided...
I don’t disagree that a number of Senators are “upstanding citizens”, to use your own words.
I agree that Alfie is a marquis hockey player, an excellent leader and a great character guy. I also love watching Foligno mature and grow as a player. I appreciate Shannon’s efforts (although I don’t see him or Winchester making big waves in the NHL). Fisher, while being an over-paid and under-performing distraction, may be an absolute saint… he prays enough! Smith, Volchenkov, Winchester (et al) may be great people on an individual basis, but together there is very little chemistry on that team. So, while TOXIC may not be the right word, it sure as heck isn’t Disney World at Scotiabank Place!
In fact, Fisher made my point for me through his own reaction to the Heatley news. He didn’t know about Heatley’s unhappiness, because those two don’t sit at the same end of a divided room. Admittedly, Heatley’s clic has been shrinking fast, as they get traded, demand to be traded, or are cast aside one by one. I’m just not sure that you can fix that kind of a room without blowing it all up.
Anyone who has been part of a competitive sport team knows that there is usually a deep kinship between players… an “esprit de corps” so-to-speak. We were always told to give 110% for the guy sitting next to us and the guy sitting next to him. That has been absent with the Sens – period.
The division between clics in that room is as well known a fact and as poorly kept a secret as the use of steroids in baseball.
In fact, I think Murray tried to blow it up, but in a muted and weak way. I’m not Murray’s biggest fan, but I can see what he was trying to do when he let Redden go, traded McGrattan and cast out Emery… (witness Grats going into rehab soon thereafter, Redden continuing his physical deterioration in NY and Emery going to Russia to get a fresh start). Then Corvo asked to go, and now Heatley… I see a trend, don’t you?
I just hope that this doesn’t leave Spezza spinning… and while Murray had to move some guys, why couldn’t he get anything of real value in exchange (especially for Corvo!). After numerous changes, I don’t see the team getting better or acquiring the assets that will lead them to the promissed land.
Anyway, if you are correct about Spezza (and I will concede that you may very well be right), if Murray can get fair exchange value in a trade for Heatley, and if our new goalie works out as hoped, this could be an exciting time for Sens fans. (Many many if’s)
Then again (and that is my fear), it might very well be the same BS as last year, especially if nobody plays for the guy sitting next to him.
All in all, my earlier point was simply that everyone is furious with Heatley, because he wants to leave a less than ideal situation, despite the fact that the normal turnover on this team is considerable. So, why is it okay for the organization to have selective loyalty to its players, trading them at will and calling it “business”, but when a player thinks a change is needed and is self-serving in the process, then he is the target of boundless hatred and mean spirited attacks in the press? It is absolute crap!
Just count how often the infamous car accident was referenced since the news broke… Crap!
by Wall Street on Jun 14, 2009 4:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't be Sad!
Don’t be sad… losing a friend to cancer is sad – this is just hockey. I’ll miss Heatley – I liked the guy, but how sad can you be? Even the disagreements between bloggers is just supposed to be fun – right!?
I sure hope people here aren’t psycho about other people expressing their ideas and theories.
My “takes” are written from my perspective. I know a few people who play or coach in the NHL and I know a thing or two about the game. My ideas are as valid as anyone’s, but I don’t think that my theories, ideas, or opinions are gospel. I do not ever profess to REALLY know what players or management are thinking, doing, need to do, etc… I’m just a fan of the game.
Even if the Sens miss the playoffs again next year… we will all be sad, mad, outraged and we will blog about it. But, it won’t really matter… it is just hockey. I’ll just cheer for the Bruins (forgive me).
I will just hope for that big trade, that awesome player nobody else drafted (remember Alfie!?), the rookie who has a breakout year. That’s the fun… at least it is for me.
by Wall Street on Jun 14, 2009 4:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ditto.
Hopefully some good comes out of a bad situation. I have to say, I can see what you mean by a divided room, and I could easily see Heatley being in a clique with McGrattan, Meszaros, and Emery livin’ it up on the town like you’d expect just about any young rich athlete to do. Seems the team has been moving forward without him—even his best friend on the team, Spezza, has bought a house and appears to be settling down. That may not be the reason for his demand, but it may very well be one of them.
by PeterR on Jun 14, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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