Heatley signed a one-year contract with the Ducks in July. While he’s coming off of two straight slower couple years in terms of points and plus-minus rating, his experience could be key for Anaheim on the power play. There’s a chance he’ll even get the opportunity to fill the vacancy on the top line next to Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, an arrangement that could help him blow past his disappointing numbers with the Wild in 2013-14. However, his lead feet will become a liability as the season progresses.
Heatley continues to decline on the offensive end as his points scored per game declined for the fourth consecutive season. He played just 36 games as his season ended in early April due to a dislocated left shoulder. He's just not getting the opportunities as he averaged just 2.3 shots per game after averaging 2.9 shots per game the season before and well over three shots per game earlier in his career. He's long been considered a slow-footed, one-dimensional sniper and age 34, Heater is starting to look old relative to today's NHL. He needs to be on a scoring line and should stay there this season. But don't be surprised by an even quicker erosion in skills.
Heatley’s 53 points last season continued the trend of regression we’ve seen from him in recent years. His numbers understandably fell following the trade from San Jose -- he just didn't have the same caliber of players beside him. He’s never been the fleetest of foot on the ice, but he can still fire the puck and he should get plenty of opportunities to do that on the power play. It remains to be seen how he will gel with Zach Parise at even strength, but he could be a bounceback candidate if you believe in turnarounds. We're not holding our breath on that, but we don't mind being proven wrong.
The Wild traded for Heatley, a veteran sniper, this past offseason in a straight exchange for speedy forward Martin Havlat, who departs for San Jose. Heatley is coming off a 64-point (26 G, 38 A) season with the Sharks, his lowest output in six years. And what was the reason for the drop? One could attribute his "down year" in 2010-11 to his declining shot totals. In fact, Heatley took 63 fewer shots than the previous year, when he scored 39 goals in his debut season with the Sharks. The obvious culprit behind Heatley's drop was the emergence of Calder Trophy finalist Logan Couture, who cut into his scoring chances. Still, in Minnesota, The Wild gets back a top scoring threat they lost when Marian Gaborik became a free agent in July of 2009. It's expected that Heatley will share the limelight with Mikko Koivu and the Minnesota offense this season, so one should anticipate another season of 30-plus goals and assists from the 30-year-old German.
Sharks GM Doug Wilson brought in Heatley from Ottawa hoping he would be the one to help the Sharks vault towards the ever-so elusive Stanley Cup hardware. Unfortunately for team brass, it was revealed that Heatley had sustained a groin injury in the postseason, causing him to slow down a bit. Still, Heatley finished the regular season third on the team in points with 82 (39 G, 43 A), complemented by a plus-14 rating and nine game-winning goals, an NHL best. With so much offensive talent in San Jose, he will be hard-pressed to go for 50 goals as he did twice (and in consecutive fashion for the Senators), but a vigorous Heatley should easily dial in 75-plus points in 2010-11.
Fans of Team Teal expected a major shakeup shortly after witnessing possibly the biggest postseason collapse in team history. However, GM Doug Wilson patiently waited for the storm to settle before prying this two-time 50-goal scorer away from Ottawa. Heatley has a very accurate shot, one that is bound to give opponents fits if he meshes well with assist guru Joe Thornton on the team’s first line. Now that he’s happy playing for a contender, expect the high-flying winger to reach the century mark in points for the third time in his career.
Heater continued to put up strong numbers in 2007-08. While he didn't notch a third straight season of 50 goals, due mainly to a separated shoulder he suffered in mid-January, Heatley did light the lamp 41 times in 71 games. He'll once again be paired with Jason Spezza for most of the upcoming season, so Heatley should be able to get close to, if not surpass, 50 goals once again. He's amongst the elite NHL wingers as his point totals, shots on goal, and plus-minus from the last few years certainly attest to. Heatley should be high on your list for draft day.
Heatley should continue his torrid goal pace this season so expect another 50 goal run to go along with 50+ assists, 300+ shots, and a solid plus-minus rating. He'll also get a lot of power play minutes on the first unit with Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson.
Once again, Heatley will line up with Spezza at center in most game situations, so don’t be surprised if Heatley puts up even better numbers than last year.
Heatley's nightmare 2003-04 season is behind him and it's reasonable to expect him to return to the 25-30 goal level with 65-70 points. Unlike his 2001-02 rookie season (26 goals, 67 points) in Atlanta, we don't expect him to be a minus-19 playing in Ottawa.
