Heatley trading and other news

Dany Heatley is now a member of the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks also got a pretty good deal, though, which is a statement that makes sense if you’ve been following. San Jose managed to return an almost equal amount of salary (they got about $0.2 million more on Heatley), and only had to give up Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek to get it. (SJ also traded a 2010 2nd Rounder in exchange for a 5th Rounder.) Michalek and Cheechoo bring grit and determination to Ottawa, as well as offensive potential. Cheechoo certainly isn’t the 50-goal scorer he once was (emphasis on once), but Michalek is a star in the making. As for the Sharks, one thing is for sure: they became an even bigger threat to capture the Pacific, and maybe even the President’s Trophy again. Interestingly, the last team to win the President’s Trophy in back-to-back seasons also won the Stanley Cup for the second time. Can you name the team?

Recent NHL roundup:

The Vancouver Canucks found several replacements for Mattias Ohlund: They traded to San Jose for Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich, as well as signing UFA Mathieu Schneider. For the Sharks, who got a couple of minor leaguers back, the deal was seen as little more than a salary waiver. For the Canucks, however, the move makes their defensive staff more able to cope with the revamped blue line of their biggest division rivals, the Calgary Flames. Vancouver also locked up star goalkeeper Roberto Luongo, signing him to a 12-year deal worth $64 million.

The Tampa Bay Lightning signed Alex Tanguay to a one-year deal. With Tanguay on Vincent Lecavalier’s left and St. Louis on the right, the Lightning have an incredible front line, and they’re all from Quebec.

Peter Forsberg was guest-listed for Team Sweden’s 2010 Olympic roster. He plans to play this season for Swedish Elite League Modo, but a strong Olympic performance (and the ability to stay healthy) could mean a return to the NHL.

While the Pittsburgh Penguins await construction of the new arena they will use in 2010-11, The Consol Energy Center, a couple of other teams are also pushing to build a new building. The New York Islanders are trying to get their Lighthouse project approved, and the Edmonton Oilers ownership has also announced plans to buy land and build.

The Oilers also signed unrestricted free agent Mike Comrie to a one-year deal. Comrie, an underachiever last season for the New York Islanders, was traded at the deadline to the Ottawa Senators, where he had just seven points in 22 games. He’s a touchy player: lots of good points, but a real hit for inconsistency.