Dany Heatley - What happened?

[oilsands]

Turned 34 mid-season. 800 career points. Spent some time in the AHL this year.

What the heck happened to this guy? Injuries? Desire?

 

[CanadianHockey]

If I remember correctly, there were rumours that he had hip/hernia/groin problems that slowed his skating down. I mean, even in his prime he wasn't a great skater, but he's now effectively useless. Can't get open to release his shot, and has zero other tools to offer. Not good defensively, not a great playmaker, not good at forechecking or backchecking.

 

[illpucks]

Apparently he doesn't know either

Heatley isn't especially sad or maligned about the situation he finds himself in now. Instead, he appears confused: he's still doing everything he did as a 50-goal scorer eight years ago, but it's not working. At least it isn't for Norfolk.

Heatley sets up shop at the Senators blue-line, waiting for a pass. Once the puck comes his way, he dekes out an opponent, squeaks by another, and winds up for his legendary shot. It deflects off a stick and the threat is over.

https://sports.vice.com/en_us/artic...-dany-heatleys-rise-and-fall-from-nhl-stardom

 

[Nsjohnson]

[MOD]

First and foremost injuries, especially lower body.

 

[agent082]

Injuries. He is slower than slow.

 

[Gene Parmesan]

If I remember correctly, there were rumours that he had hip/hernia/groin problems that slowed his skating down. I mean, even in his prime he wasn't a great skater, but he's now effectively useless. Can't get open to release his shot, and has zero other tools to offer. Not good defensively, not a great playmaker, not good at forechecking or backchecking.

Did you see him play before the car crash? He was a strong skater for his size. His knee was destroyed.

 

[evermix*]

Heatley was never the same person after the car crash, both physically and mentally. He did good in Ottawa for a bit, but after that everything caught up and destroyed him. He would've been a Hall of Famer by now, if he didn't live life in the fast lane. With him and Kovalchuk, Jets would still be in Atlanta, and could've won a cup.

 

[CanadianHockey]

Did you see him play before the car crash? He was a strong skater for his size. His knee was destroyed.

I was more referring to his play after the car crash, in Ottawa, as his prime, when he was mediocre at skating but still potting 40-50 goals a year.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

This thread makes me miss OttawaGh0st4.... whatever happened to that guy? Not every video was that great but that good ones made me spit my drinks out and tear up. That guy had a true talent. I'd lose it any time he would imitate Chara.

Long live the ghost!!

 

[wej20]

Sounds like he's fallen out of love with the game too.

 

[Gene Parmesan]

Sounds like he's fallen out of love with the game too.

Do you blame him?

 

[Rhodes 81]

Remains the only professional athlete I've ever actually hated. In fact one of only a few people in general.

 

[Vashanesh]

Speaking for his time with the Wild, he was extremely slow and even more predictable.

Towards the end, it just seemed like he had given up. There was no effort left in his game, he just plain stopped winning puck battles.

 

[DigitalBoldy]

Didn't the car accident (RIP Dan Snyder) do something to his legs?

 

[SenatorArmy*]

I think the decline started in the lockout year when he injured his eye which is permanently dilated

 

[izzy]

This thread makes me miss OttawaGh0st4.... whatever happened to that guy? Not every video was that great but that good ones made me spit my drinks out and tear up. That guy had a true talent. I'd lose it any time he would imitate Chara.

Long live the ghost!!

Dany whats your favorite color?

Gold Medal

 

[417th]

Heatley was a scum bag who was responsible for the death of his friend and team mate. Good riddance..... R. I. P Snyder. Heatley was great before the "accident" but that doesn't change things.

 

[DyerMaker66*]

I think the decline started in the lockout year when he injured his eye which is permanently dilated

How would that negatively impact his play?

 

[SpookyTsuki]

I dont know why people are bashing on him


50 goals, He will never be terrible, never i say

 

[Epsilon]

Karma caught up to him for being a self-centered and entitled **** who should have been grateful that society not only gave him another chance but was eminently forgiving.

Possibly the most me-first player in NHL history, up there with Yashin and a few others. But at least in Yashin's case he was a jerk about money rather than about performing community service as a result of causing another person's death.

 

[boredmale]

I am guessing combination of injuries slowing him down combined with making millions and having no reason to put in a hardcore effort to be better

 

[KrisLetAngry]

He was slow.

But that's OK he wasn't super slow.
And his shot was awesome

Then accident

Became super slow.

I heard he was a good locker room presence for the young players assisting them and stuff.

 

[5 4 Fighting]

Biggest ******** to ever lace them up. Avery has more class.

 

[T-Funk]

Arrogance.

 

[DJN21]

I have no nice words to say about him so I'll leave it there...