July 3, 2011
SHARKS PAGESHARKS VIDEO
RATTO: Heatley never moved Sharks closer to Cup
CSNBayArea.com staff
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The Sharks traded forward Dany Heatley to Minnesota Sunday night in exchange for right wing Martin Havlat.
Marty is a player that we have had an interest in for a long time, Sharks vice president and general manager Doug Wilson said via press release. He can play either wing and brings creativity and breakaway speed to our group of top-six forwards. We are excited about the versatility he adds to our lineup.
Heatley had three more years left on his contract at 7.5 million per. Havlat is signed for four more years at 5 million annually.
The trade Sunday is the second offseason deal between the teams. San Jose acquired All-Star defenseman Brent Burns from Minnesota in June for a package topped by Devin Setoguchi.
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RELATED: Dany Heatley statssplitsgame logs
Heatley spent two seasons with San Jose. In 162 games he posted 146 points (65 goals, 81 assists). But Heatley scored just 26 goals last season, the second-lowest total of his career, equal to his rookie season. Over the past two playoff campaigns (32 games) he scored just five goals.
In 669 career NHL games, the 30-year-old has scored 325 goals and chipped in 364 assists. His 26 goals last season tied for the second lowest single-season total of his career, equaling his rookie total in 2001-02 and better than only his 13 goals from 2003-04, in which he played only 31 games.
Havlat, 30, posted 62 points (22 goals, 40 assists) in 78 regular season games, which tied for the team lead in Minnesota. He also tied for the team lead in game-winning goals (4) and led the team in shots (229).
RELATED: Havlat career statssplitsgame logs
The 10-year veteran has 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) in 67 career Stanley Cup playoff games, including 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in his last 26 postseason contests.
"For a hockey player, if your season ends April 10, it's kind of an empty feeling, an unsuccessful season for sure," Havlat said. "When the real season starts, you're sitting at home watching the best hockey on TV. I enjoy playing the playoffs. That's why I play hockey, to have that chance."
The former NHL All-Star (2007) represented the Czech Republic at the Olympics (2010), the World Cup (2005), the World Championships (2004, 2000) and the World Junior Championship (2000).
RATTO: Sharks say goodbye to Setoguchi, hello to Burns
When players that we have targeted become available, you need to be able to react quickly and you also have to pay a price in order to acquire them, Wilson said. When we made the Brent Burns trade, we knew we still needed to address our speed up front and we think the acquisition of Marty does that. "
The Associated Press contributed to this report.