Heatley's Peak vs. Hossa's Longevity

It's March 28th.

This is NHL News today, AI-powered updates on your team.

I'm Cory with the Story.

20 years ago, on August 23rd, 2005, the Ottawa Senators and Atlanta thrashers pulled

off a blockbuster swap that shook up the NHL.

Ottawa's shipped out star when you're marrying Hasa and defenseman Greg DeVries for Young

Sniver, Danny Heatley.

Both guys were elite scores.

Hasa coming off a huge season with the SENS.

Heatley fresh off rookie of the year honors with Atlanta.

Heatley wanted out after a tragic car crash that killed his teammate and friend Dan Snyder,

the year before.

Senators GM John Muckler saw him as the next big thing to boost their playoff push, while

thrashers boss Don Waddell cashed in on Heatley's trade, request for a proven all-star like

Hasa, who just inked a sweet three-year six million dollar per season deal.

Fans and pundits went wild.

Ottawa got a gold machine who lit it up with 50 goals and over 100 points in his first

two seasons there, teaming.

With Spesa and Albertson, for what many called the league's best line, they topped the

Eastern Conference and hit the Stanley Cup final in 2007.

Meanwhile, Hasa dragged a weak thrashers squad to their first ever playoffs, smashing franchise

records with 92 and 100 points.

Years.

He stuck around Ottawa a bit longer, signing a massive six-year 45 million dollar contract,

but things soured with a playoff miss, and he bounced to San Jose in 2009.

Hasa got dealt to Pittsburgh mid-season 2008, then kept balling out, eventually winning

three cups with Chicago and earning Hall of Fame, nods.

Looking back, it's a toss of short-term.

Heatley gave Ottawa peak dominance, Hasa lifted Atlanta higher than expected, but Hasa's

longevity and hardware edged out long-term, proving elite two-way play pays off in the

end.