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The Anaheim Ducks dipped into the leftover pile in free agency and picked up former 50-goal scorer Dany Heatley at the extreme discounted rate of $1 million for one season according to Darren Dreger of TSN. Considering Heatley’s last deal paid him an average of $7.5 million annually, this is quite the tumble in salary for the 33-year-old.
Heatley’s career has been on a precipitous decline over the last few years, but with such a cheap deal, the Ducks are taking on minimal risk in trying to squeeze whatever it is the former All-Star has left.
Heatley has played in 863 games over his career. He’s posted 372 goals including back-to-back 50-goal seasons with the Ottawa Senators in 2005-06 and 2006-07. He hasn’t topped 26 goals since 2010-11, though and recently finished a dismal 2013-14 campaign with the Minnesota Wild. Heatley posted just 28 points in 76 games and was a healthy scratch at various points of the season.
Either way, the Ducks are adding a veteran player who can still manage some time on the power play and can contribute some. If he’s surrounded with the right players, Heatley could bring some scoring depth to the Ducks lineup at minimal cost.
Considering the work the Ducks have done this offseason, adding Ryan Kesler via trade and defenseman Clayton Stoner in free agency, the Heatley deal isn’t going to be looked at as one of real consequence in the grand scheme of things. It could pay off if Heatley finds his scoring touch, however. The likelihood of that happening is low, but it’s worth a shot for a team that is looking to get over the hump after posting the best record in the Western Conference last season.
