Dany Heatley's Diminished Role

by DarrenM on Aug 23, 2009 9:00 AM EDT

By now, we all have heard time and time again that Dany Heatley's reason for leaving the Ottawa Senators is a diminished role with the club. A lot of people, myself included, did not really notice any diminshed role - hell, the guy was made Alternate Captain. The only notable demotion was being put on the second power play unit, but that was more so that he could run that powerplay as it was completely ineffective without a scorer.

I decided to check out the numbers. Obviously, the best comparison is between Dany's 2006-07 regular season and the 08-09 one, because he signed his long-term contract extension after the 06-07 season, meaning he was quite content with his role back then.

2006-07 Regular Season

Shifts/Game	23.9
Short Handed Time on Ice/Game	0:45
Power Play Time on Ice/Game	4:59
Even Strength Time on Ice/Game	15:17
Total Time on Ice/Game	21:01

2008-09 Regular Season

Shifts/Game	22.1
Short Handed Time on Ice/Game	0:22
Power Play Time on Ice/Game	4:05
Even Strength Time on Ice/Game	15:38
Total Time on Ice/Game	20:06

The numbers show a slight decrease in ice-time for Dany overall, as well as in the special teams department. He actually increased in even strength time on ice. It should be noted, though, that most Senators' ice-time decreased last season, including forward leader Daniel Alfredsson. It's worth noting that last season, just like 2008-09, Dany was second out of forwards on the team in total time on ice. His biggest drop was on the power play, where he went from first out of forwards to third, behind Alfie and Jason Spezza. Though Heatley didn't spend much time penalty killing, that's only because the team has a number of great penalty killers, and therefore it's smarter to save Dany's legs for a shift where he has a better opportunity to score. For comparison's sake, Spezza only had 0:15 short handed time on ice this past season.

However, we can break this down even further, by comparing Dany's time under Craig Hartsburg, and under Cory Clouston. Under Hartsburg, Heatley averaged 21:00/game, while under Clouston, his time was cut to 18:50/game. As you can see, Dany lost approximately two minutes per game in the transition from Hartsburg to Clouston, which may be where his discontent stems from. However, Dany wasn't the only player to lose time once Clouston came in, as the new coach spread out the icetime more between players in order to preserve the top line's energy.

Do these numbers indicate a truly diminished role for Dany? I really don't see it. Though he does spend less time on the ice, so do the rest of his teammates - he's not being treated unfairly at all. Heatley gets pretty much the same amount of icetime as his linemates, and the only area he lacks icetime is on the penalty kill. Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski put it best: "So there you go; obviously, he wants to be Chris Kelly."

Update: James Mirtle has posted a similar article with a real fancy graph - be sure to check it out.

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Makes you think

What the hell does this guy really want?

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Aug 23, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

Mostly about PP

Mostly, I would guess, Heatley is PO’d about being taken off the no. 1 PP line.

However, this is kind of foolish. They moved him to “no. 2” PP line, not because he is not good enough, but because the Sens wanted to be able to maintain scoring pressure throughout the 2 minute power play. This is not really possible with Heatley, Spezza and Alfie on the same line.

Heatley should have recognized that he was put on a power play line without the other 2 of the big 3 because he is MOST able to carry a line versus the other two. If anything, it is testament to coaches recognition of his talent. But alas, Heatley, despite his hockey talent, is not really that smart sometimes.

by aagoodfella on Aug 24, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Great post, Darren.

I really wished on Friday someone had called him on this claim with numbers like these instead of worrying about the ‘A’ on his sweater.

I hate to jump to conclusions (I have this mat… it has conclusions on it… that you jump to…) but I felt that Clouston did what Hartsburg said he was going to: reward effort. Guys that were working hard, like Foligno, saw their ice time go up.

So, the impression that I get is that Heatley doesn’t want to do the work. Which is absurd, because he was a dominant player in ‘06-’07 doing exactly the things Clouston is asking him to do now. It was his backchecking (weak, but still doing it) that let him set up Alfie’s series winner in the ECF that year. Why he doesn’t want to do it now is beyond me.

by Mark Parisi on Aug 23, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

+1 rec for Office Space reference.

by DarrenM on Aug 23, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

What can you expect from the guy

who skips the memorial golf tournaments of the guy who he killed. You are getting to see bastard side of Dany Heatley that Atlanta fans figured out years ago. He doesn’t care about anyone but Dany. Immature, selfish, and a outright despicable human being……..considering he turned his back and spurned all those who went to bat for him during his trial. Bird Watchers Anonymous has a perfect summation of Mr. Heatley: http://www.birdwatchersanonymous.com/2009/8/23/999316/et-tu-canada-dany-heatley-exposed

by Cracker! on Aug 24, 2009 9:28 AM EDT reply actions

hmmmm …. i think it might be a bit awkward

some folks might tend to view Heatley as responsible for Snyder’s death, so having him there could create some tension. It is one of those situations where if you go, you are going to anger many folks and if you do not go, you are going to anger many folks. There is no clear correct decision.

I can fault Dany for many things …. maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaany things …. but staying away from that event is not one.

by aagoodfella on Aug 24, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Are you suggesting that he'd be the target of anger

from the very people who not only accepted his apology, but fought so hard to get him off during his trial? I’m speaking of course of the Snyder family and his friends. Heatley use to attend the event and it was to raise money for a foundation in Snyder’s name (one that is “dedicated to providing scholarship opportunities to young athletes, to assist in the pursuit of their goals”).

Far be it from Dany to put himself in an awkward position in front of the people from whom he took everything. What a ridiculous defense of a far more ridiculous and despicable human being…Dany Heatley. You deserve him.

by Cracker! on Aug 24, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I would suggest that perhaps the Snyder family were very big to look beyond the incident but others proximate to the situation might not be so forgiving. These folks might make backward comments, whisper-whisper behind his back at the gathering etc … all the kind of stuff that can trigger a confrontation and lead to an unfortunate incident. Since the occasion was designed to pay tribute to Snyder and not create an ugly situation, maybe it is just easier for Heatley to stay away. Heatley’s absence does not detract from the sentiment of the event and prevents the risk of an unhappy memory.

Just as folks come to this site and make comments about Heatley not being there, so are they likely to engage in that behaviour at Snyder’s memorial golf tournie. It is the nature of humanity. So, if you know that there is potential to be a confrontation that would ruin your friend’s memorial, why not do him a favour and stay away? Like I said, either way, Heatley is gonna have his detractors … clearly you are in the camp of those who would condemn him for not going to Snyder’s memorial, just as Neil condemn’s Heatley for requesting a trade.

Of course, all of this could be avoided if folks did not engage in judgment of others in affairs that do not directly involve them, but alas, that is not going to happen, so Heatley responds accordingly.

by aagoodfella on Aug 24, 2009 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Heatley responds accordingly?

From being at the memorial golf tournament, I can tell you there are no whispers when he’s there or when he’s not. It’s about Snyder, not Heater, you’re right there. But, I do think it speaks volumes about him as a human being, that he resorted to make a lame scheduling conflict excuse to avoid the event. Dany’s never really been one to man up, so I’m not too surprised he “acted accordingly”. Instead of making judgment calls on what you think may occur at this tournament, perhaps you should actually come down and attend it. Otherwise, don’t assume.

by Cracker! on Aug 25, 2009 8:10 AM EDT reply actions