It doesn't get more stunning than this: The San Jose Sharks traded Dany Heatley on Sunday night, to the Minnesota Wild for winger Martin Havlat, two years after his trade demand from the Ottawa Senators brought him to San Jose.
From the Sharks:
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).
The 10-year veteran has posted 512 points (209 goals, 303 assists) in 621 career regular season games with Minnesota, Chicago and Ottawa. He has added 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.
Havlat is a former NHL All-Star (2007) and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2001. Internationally, he has represented the Czech Republic at the Olympics (2010), the World Cup (2005), the World Championships (2004, 2000) and the World Junior Championship (2000).
"Marty is a player that we have had an interest in for a long time," said [Sharks GM Doug] Wilson. "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."
The six-foot-two, 217-pound native of Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic was originally selected by Ottawa in the first round (26th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.
Heatley, 30, appeared in 162 games for San Jose in two seasons posting 146 points (65 goals, 81 assists).
"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," added Wilson. "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.
"We truly appreciate everything that Dany brought to our organization," stated Wilson. "He is a tremendous professional and we wish him the best."
There are also some cap savings as well. From TSN:
The Wild inherit the last three years remaining on Heatley's deal that will count as $7.5 million a year under the salary cap. However in real money, Heatley will make $8 million in 2011-12, $6 million in 2012-13 and $5 million in 2013-14. Havlat has four years left remaining on his current contract, with an annual cap hit of $5 million.
It's the second blockbuster trade between the teams this offseason, as defenseman Brent Burns was acquired by the Sharks in a package that included winger Devin Setoguchi at the NHL draft.
Much more on this after Wilson and Havlat talk about it.