Dany Heatley Arrives in San Jose

SAN JOSE -- Six days after the trade was completed sending Dany Heatley from Ottawa to San Jose, the Sharks' newest forward arrived at HP Pavilion.

In a press conference on the ice level of the arena, Heatley donned a No. 15 Sharks jersey and answered questions along with general manager Doug Wilson for 15 minutes. Before that., Heatley was on the ice briefly playing with presumptive linemates Joe Thornton and Devin Setoguchi. Earlier in the week, he'd gotten on the ice with his dad, Murray, as he waited for visa issues to be resolved.

"It definitely felt good," Heatley said of his morning workout Friday. "It was a lot of fun with those guys -- a lot more fun than skating by myself."

Heatley said he feels ready to go right away, but he's more likely to be worked in slowly during the preseason. The Sharks' uptempo, shoot-a-lot style should suit the two-time 50-goal scorer to a 'T.' Though Heatley never has addressed his reasons for requesting a trade from Ottawa specifically, he had suggested he didn't always like the way he was used. On Friday, he met with Sharks coach Todd McLellan and his assistants, saw some video and got a sense of San Jose's approach.

"I like shooting the puck," Heatley said with a grin. "I'm ready to go. I like the style of the team. I like this offensive, shooting style."

Wilson said that the team is proud to welcome Heatley and he forcefully headed off any possible suggestion that Heatley might be a prima donna by detailing his tremendous international career for Canada. Of national team hockey players, Wilson said, "No one gives up more for no compensation and puts their butts on the line." Wilson said it would have been preferable if Heatley's trade request had stayed private -- he noted that he's had several players request trades over the years and the details were kept in-house.

"It should have played out differently," Wilson said. "It should have been more private."

The Sharks have no character concerns about Heatley, according to Wilson, who checked with his good friend Steve Yzerman, Team Canada's general manager, along with several others who are well acquainted with Heatley. Since Wilson is from Ottawa, he knows many people there with insights into Heatley's time with the Senators, and San Jose's assistant GM, Wayne Thomas, has known Heatley since he was a child.

"There is no question about him as a hockey player and as a man," Wilson said. "We are happy to have him here."

Heatley and the Sharks both have something to prove, Heatley after his trade demand and the Sharks after getting bounced in the first round by eighth-seeded Anaheim. The team and the player are both emphasizing moving forward, not looking back.

"Any time you don't win, you haven't done your best job," Heatley said. "Everyone is excited to get back on the ice and show what we can do."

Heatley has been portrayed as a villain by some in the Canadian press, he was asked if he thought that might hurt his chances with Team Canada. (Unlikely, considering his scoring prowess for the team and Yzerman's recommendation to Wilson.)

"I understand some media up there wrote a lot of negative things, but as far as the Olympic team, I'm not concerned at all," he said. "Especially the Olympics -- if you can't pick the best team based on merit, something is wrong."