From his first press conference in a Senators uniform it was easy to see that Heatley appears more than thrilled to be back in Canada and back in a bonafide hockey market. His welcome to the nation's capital was met with tired and eye-rolling headlines like "The Heat is on!" and a deluge of chatter on the local talk radio channel about how the gap-toothed one would be the long-awaited savior to the lead the Sens to the Cup. I'm sure for Heatley this is exactly the type of media attention and hockey talk that he had envisioned when he approached Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell and asked for a trade. In his message to Thrashers fans on why he sought a trade, Heatley explained that after some soul searching it made the most sense to seek a change. It's rumoured that Heatley's camp presented Waddell with a list of three cities he'd be interested in being traded to: Ottawa, Detroit and Vancouver. Interestingly enough all those cities are hockey mad, which provides Heatley some separation from his vehicular homicide charge and solely onto his hockey career. Hockey crazy Ottawa has simply facilitated the transition in Heatley's life.

	It's unfair to pin Ottawa's playoff failures on a player who outperformed the captain in the post-season. (Source: Getty Images)

The trading of Ottawa's most talented and one of the most popular players in team history left some fans with a bitter taste in their mouths. Watching and listening to John Muckler has left me to conclude he's going to sway those opposed to the deal by forcing it down their throats. It seems that almost single-handedly the Sens GM has tried to deconstruct everything that Marian Hossa has accomplished over the last few years in one single day. Muckler wrongly hung playoff failures on Hossa and put sole blame on Hossa for not wanting to negotiate collectively during the summer with Chara and Redden (Hossa later defended the claim by saying he wasn't the only one who didn't want to negotiate collectively). Muckler has also made outrageous statements like he hasn't seen this much buzz about an acquired player since Gretzky was traded to LA or the ultimate topper when asked if Heatley would regain his pre-car accident form Muckler responded with this Mensa statement: "He hit a little pothole in the road, but I think he's going to come back.'' Come on! Pothole in the road? That's like describing O.J. Simspon's running style as a "slasher". Although to be fair to Muckler, the Ottawa fans haven't been much better; describing the trade as bringing in "new blood" and acquiring a player with "killer instinct". And trust me these are 100% sarcasm free statements that fans are making.

The Ottawa reaction to the trade is all fine and dandy but it's the information that's circulating from Georgia where this story really gets interesting.

In regards to Heatley's trade request: According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution Heatley has had three different agents negotiate for him in the past month. He originally stripped agent Stacey McAlpine of negotiating powers and brought in agent Don Baizley to negotiate a restricted free agent contract. Waddell and Baizley couldn't agree on a long-term value for Heatley due to his physical and mental health and decided a short-term deal would work best. Baizley presented the offer to Heatley and was unceremoniously fired. Heatley then brought in agent J.P. Barry and it was shortly thereafter when Heatley informed Waddell that he had switched agents again and was looking for a change of scenery.

If this is allegedly how the actual situation materialized than it's interesting that Heatley's decision to switch teams came after he was unhappy with what the organization felt he was worth for the long-term. Doesn't seem like it was all about a change of scenery does it?

	Heatley has struggled to regain his form during international play. (Source: Ak-bars.ru)

On his recent poor international showings: ESPN.com's Scott Burnside reported that Heatley's on-ice performance during the 2005 World Championships in Austria wasn't the only thing amiss. "A number of independent sources have told ESPN.com that Heatley was involved in disputes with teammates and members of the coaching staff on and off the ice at the tournament."

Atlanta's reaction to the trade: The majority of Thrashers fans have wished Heatley all the best in his career and his continued rehabilitation from the killing of Dan Snyder. In addition to those fans there are quite a few that feel Heatley has taken the easy road and quit on an organization and city that supported him through his darkest and toughest moments. In a web poll asking fans their thoughts on which club won the deal 76% of people thought the Thrashers won the deal acquiring Hossa.

Consider some of these fan sentiments posted on the Atlanta Journal Constitution's website:

It would have been tough on him to be here, there's no doubt in that, but real men stand up to their problems. Dany ran. That speaks volumes to his character and based on that, I'm glad he's gone now (never thought I'd type that). I too will be leading the boos for this "man" when he returns. He's a coward.

I think the Thrashers are a better "team" after the trade, and I can certainly understand how its gotta eat at Dany's soul every time he drives by the scene of the crime or sees Snyder's locker or his number. Which is plastered everywhere. Tough draw, kid… but you bought it. This town was there for you… I'd have liked to see you handle a tough draw how the people of Atlanta did when it was you were the victim.

The entire city embraced him and the Snyder's during and following the tragic events of 2003. But to bail-out is simply CHEAP, and this is what it was, instead of showing some real guts and turning into the winner he could have been. I supported you from afar Mr.Heatley… you let me down.

Perhaps the most interesting reaction to the trade was that of Graham Snyder, Dan Snyder's father who understandably felt mixed emotions about the trade.

"I was a little disappointed. But I also understand in a lot of ways if he felt it was something he has to do. I hope it works out for him… My heart is still with the Atlanta Thrashers, and I was hoping to see him stay there to hoist the Stanley Cup over his head. We had talked about that. But I understand that it's difficult to do, and he needs to move on."

The trade to the Senators allows Heatley to move on with a new chapter in his life. His court order public speeches on the dangers of driving will continue in Ottawa, even though this isn't the community that needs to hear them. The daily fodder from the papers and the talk radio channels will provide an escape and sole focus back to the world of hockey. Perhaps the only time that sole focus on hockey will be disrupted is on January 2nd, the night Heatley and the Senators travel to Atlanta for the first time. Mark your calendars for that one.