When I saw Heater score 4 goals (or was it more) during an all-star game in the early 2000s, I became a fan. Then came the incident in Atlanta. Then came the incident in Ottawa.
When he was traded here, I thought that we were getting someone who could score goals but was someone that was not going to show up. I was worried that his reputation (by the media) could be detrimental to the Wild locker room.
Out of all the ups and downs of this season, I have to give props to Heater. He has shown up as much as anyone else, if not more. Is he still a 40-50 goal scorer? No. Is he past his prime? Most likely. But, he still has a hell of a shot, good hockey sense, and has not done anything to lead us to believe that he is a cancer to a hockey team.
I hope that health and more skill next year will allow Heater to get to 30-35 goals and 70 points, expectations that I do not think are unrealistic.
Heater is just about the only player on this years squad, excluding the players who just came in via trades, who I still have any remaining respect for.
Heater is just about the only player on this years squad, excluding the players who just came in via trades, who I still have any remaining respect for.
Mostly agreed, but I haven't lost any respect for the 3 players sitting out because of cheapshots.
Heater is just about the only player on this years squad, excluding the players who just came in via trades, who I still have any remaining respect for.
Out of all the ups and downs of this season, I have to give props to Heater. He has shown up as much as anyone else, if not more. Is he still a 40-50 goal scorer? No. Is he past his prime? Most likely. But, he still has a hell of a shot, good hockey sense, and has not done anything to lead us to believe that he is a cancer to a hockey team.
Honestly, that's what I thought Heater would be as well, but he comes in every night, does what he can, and does it without complaint. That's enough to earn my respect.
Heatley seems to be a good guy so far. I thought when the team started tanking he would immediately be asking to be traded off giving his past history haha. But he hasn't done that and has adapted to the system. I think for him to be successful offensively he needs to be set up in the offensive zone with a playmaker setting him up...too bad we are never in the offensive zone for more than 2 seconds
My buddy and I have become serious Heatley fans over the past three months. I'd love to see him stay in a Minnesota sweater for a long time, so long as he keeps playing good hockey.
Quite possibly the Wild's MVP this season. I like the effort he displays even when the Wild are getting smoked.
Agree 100%
I never had any illusions that Heater was going to come in and scorer 50 goals. Heck I even posted that I would be very happy with 30 goals from him. I NEVER expected to see him try as hard as he does away from the puck. I've been very surprised and pleased with his effort.
I just wish we could field a team around him.
Hopefully next year is a step in the right direction.
I gotta admit, as much as I was glad to see Havlat leave, I had reservations about Heater. I figured if we sucked this year (check) he was going to float, pout and ask to be traded again.
So far, he's exceeded those expectations and put up respectable numbers for being put on a line with guys who should be on the 3rd line for most of the season.
It's really been interesting to see the kind of effort and attitude Heatley puts up every night, compared to what all the other fans were telling us to expect.
It's really been interesting to see the kind of effort and attitude Heatley puts up every night, compared to what all the other fans were telling us to expect.
The majority of SJ fans had only good things to say about him, and they were the only ones I really paid attention to. The opinions of Ottawa fans are so tainted with unabashed hatred that I couldn't take them seriously.
I actually think there could still be a place for him on this team when his current contract is up.
Yeah, Seto hasn't lived up to my expectations at all. Heater's been a stud, though. He's been our MVP along with Spurgeon for the whole season, really.
The majority of SJ fans had only good things to say about him, and they were the only ones I really paid attention to. The opinions of Ottawa fans are so tainted with unabashed hatred that I couldn't take them seriously.
I actually think there could still be a place for him on this team when his current contract is up.
There were a lot of neutral (non-Ottawa or Shark fans) that had nothing nice to say about him either. There were some Shark fans talking about lack of defensive effort/coasting, and I haven't seen that at all.
For the record, I was pumped to get him--past prime or not--and if he brings the same effort next year, I'd love for the Wild to re-sign him.
