On Dec. 5, the Ottawa Senators welcomed back Dany Heatley for the first time since the two-time 50-goal scorer was dealt to the San Jose Sharks on Sept. 12, 2009.
The now 43-year-old, who was a second-overall pick by the Atlanta Thrashers, spent four seasons in Ottawa with 362 points (180 goals, 182 assists) in 317 games.
However, as his role with the club “diminished,” Heatley requested a trade following the 2008-09 season. Things got complicated, and it took until training camp, but Ottawa eventually sent their scorer to California.
San Jose wasn’t the first intended trade target, as there was a deal in place to send Heatley to the Edmonton Oilers for a package that included Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner and Ladislav Smid, but Heatley refused to waive his no-trade clause.
Eventually, a deal with San Jose came to fruition, with Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo and a 2010 second-round pick coming back to Ottawa.
It was just a sticky situation that left the fan base in shambles, as a star was clearly forcing his way out, and fans booed him heavily when he returned as a member of the Sharks.
How long does it take to heal old wounds?
Fifteen years and 95 days, in this case.
The Senators brought Heatley back on Dec. 5, along with Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson, a trio that made up the ‘Pizza Line.’
The nickname was coined due to a promotion with a pizza chain in Ottawa where fans would get a free slice if the team scored five or more goals on home ice in 2005-06.
That line quickly forced the pizza chain to update its promotion to six goals, with Ottawa scoring five or more goals in three straight home games to begin the season.
Heatley’s return was a great thing for the players, his former linemates, the organization and the fans.
So, it begs the question. How long will New York Islanders fans need before the organization welcomes back their best player of the past decade?
Jean-Yves Ahern-Imagn Images
Yes, we’re talking about former captain John Tavares, folks.
Although Tavares hasn’t donned an Islanders sweater since leaving the club in free agency in 2018, the hatred and vitriol the majority of the fan base has for him is immeasurable.
While deep down, most fans aren’t likely mad that Tavares chose to play for his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. The problem lies in that when the 2018 NHL trade deadline drew near, Tavares was adamant that he wanted to stay, and GM Garth Snow elected to take his captain’s word.
So, instead of trading their best player for assets that could help the team in the short and long term, the Islanders lost their biggest asset for nothing.
Since then, every time Tavares has come back to Long Island, he’s been booed, with the volume reaching its ultimate peak when the puck is on his stick.
Will there ever be a time when that changes and Tavares can be welcomed back with open arms?
The now 34-year-old is in the final season of his seven-year deal and is performing quite well with 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists) in 30 games this season, fresh off a hat trick on Sunday night against the Buffalo Sabres.
Tavares’ future is a question mark, and no, despite Long Island desperately needing a finisher, which Tavares had and has proven to be, the Islanders will not be his landing spot if he leaves Toronto.
But, at some point, for an organization that hasn’t had a star of his caliber since…it’s quite hard to think that there won’t be a day when he gets an honor.
No, his No. 91 won’t ever head to the rafters because Butch Goring is there. But the Islanders are creating a Ring of Honor, and there’s no question that Tavares, despite his exit, should be a part of that.
In nine years with the Islanders after they drafted him first overall in 2009, he recorded 621 points (272 goals, 349 assists) in 669 games.
Tavares’ fifth goal in Game 6 of the 2016 first-round series against the Florida Panthers, a wraparound goal past Hall of Fame goaltender Roberto Luongo at 10:41 of the second overtime period, sent the Islanders to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 1993.
Outside of Anthony Beauvillier’s overtime dagger to force a Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021, Tavares’s goal serves as the most important goal since the Shawn Bates penalty shot goal against Curtis Joseph in the 2002 NHL playoffs.
Islanders fans, we ask you. How many years will have to go by before you can put aside the hate and honor Tavares at UBS Arena? Let us know in the comments or by going directly to our forum.
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