It's been three weeks since Dany Heatley(notes) requested a trade from the Ottawa Senators. It's also been three weeks for Edmonton Oilers fans wondering if the talented forward will eventually end up on their club for next season -- not to mention if Ladislav Smid(notes), Dustin Penner(notes) and Andrew Cogliano(notes) would be departing.

Having been silent since Heatley situation arose, National Hockey League Players Association Executive Director Paul Kelly spoke with Dan Tencer of Edmonton's 630 CHED Wednesday night. (Listen to the interview here) In their discussion, Kelly identifies Heatley as a "victim" in the whole situation; one who was given a raw deal thanks to the leaked news about the trade request:

"While it is true that he requested a trade, it was not Dany Heatley or his agent that made that fact public. I think Dany's been unfairly treated by the media and by the (Senators) organization."

How Kelly can't see the ire in Bryan Murray and the Senators organization's

The National Hockey League has seen its share of jokers over the years. From Dennis Hull to (the soon to be retiring?) Jeremy Roenick(notes) to Pavel Datsyuk(notes), hockey has seen its share of funny personalities.

It's been just over a year since one the great funnymen left our shores, and the New York Rangers, for the KHL. Jaromir Jagr(notes) is truly one of the underrated comedians that have graced the ice in the past 20 years -- intentional or not.

It all began with the photo on his 1990 Score rookie card which, as Yahoo! family member Jamie Mottram perfectly put, depicts Jagr "letting his bangs breathe."

Who can forget him professing his desire to Bill Clement about testing free agency way back in 1992, as well as his love for high-speed driving? Let's also not forget Jagr's attempt to introduce the world to a hockey-version of the movie "Ladybugs."

Coming up, we remember three of Jagr's best acting performances; two which featured the glorious mullet.

And here ... we ... go.

Vote for Rory ... Save the Coyotes ... Hockey Scores. In the time-honored tradition of hockey fan movements comes an Internet petition to get the Toronto Maple Leafs to change their logo and jersey permanently to the style they've displayed as alternates (below left).

The man behind the LeafsLogo.com is Jeff Veillette. He feels that while the other 'Original Six' teams have maintained tradition and made minor changes to their look over the years, the Leafs altered things by changing to their current look and the only way to return to the glory days is with a new logo.

Changes to a team's uniform take a year's notice, so Veilette's aim is the 2010-11 season; one that he hopes, if Toronto General Manager Brian Burke's overhaul stays the course, would coincide with a year of actual competitive hockey for the team.

Coming up, Puck Daddy had a couple of questions for Veillette about how much he'll see the movement through, appeasing the Hockey Gods and celebrity spokespeople. But first, we

Please recall on July 2 when fans of the New York Rangers were up in arms about the signing of tough guy Donald Brashear(notes), the same tough guy who knocked out their best penalty killer in the opening round of the playoffs this past spring? Head coach John Tortorella feels there shouldn't be any hard feelings, at least within the locker room:

"I don't agree at all with what happened with Blair Betts(notes). We all know that was wrong," Tortorella said of the blind-side hit to the head from the then-Washington winger that concussed the now former Rangers center and broke his orbital bone. "But . . . but . . . you also have to understand the situation that we're in now where we're looking to make changes on the hockey club and believe that Donald has a unique presence that will help us.

"I don't condone anyone trying to hurt another player. I don't know that's what happened with Bettsy, but if I ever think that Donald is trying to injure someone while he plays for the Rangers,

The biggest omission from the last few editions of EA Sports' NHL series has been the fantasy draft. Gamers who pick up NHL 10 in September will be happy to know that the fantasy draft will be back, along with some more cool additions.

Users will now be able to begin their franchise modes with the choice to build their team however they wanted, and not have to wheel and deal with the preset or updated rosters to get their squad to their liking.

In NHL 10 producer Andy Agostini's latest blog, he drops some nuggets on the fantasy draft, as well as the brand new Be-a-GM mode. You can also check out his video diary here, courtesy of Operation Sports.

Anyone catch the Los Angeles Kings looking to draft Evgeni Malkin(notes)? Is that Bruce Garrioch behind those controls on the video?

The "GM Reputation" feature is another addition that brings more realism to the game. No longer will you be able to badger a team about trading Jarome Iginla(notes) for your backup goaltender straight up without

Christmas in July. That's what this time of year is for hockey fans. First, we get the frenzy that is the opening of the free-agent market on July 1; and then the day after the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, we get our hands on the next NHL schedule.

I would imagine many of you already have road trips planned and dates circled on your calendars. It's a great day and a reminder that while hockey season may have ended just over a month ago, the next season isn't too far away.

Now that we know who's heading where and when for the 2009-10 season, let's take a gander at some of the games we're most looking forward to this year.

San Jose Sharks at Colorado Avalanche (October 1, 2009)

The Sharks begin yet another season in which they'll break their fans' hearts come springtime. Besides the date also being Opening Night for the National Hockey League, the Avalanche will honor their long-time captain, Joe Sakic(notes), by retiring his No. 19 to the Pepsi Center rafters. Representatives

The selection of John Tavares by the New York Islanders No. 1 overall in last month's Entry Draft saw a boon of positive exposure focused on the team, after years of playing second fiddle to the New York Rangers and countless jokes about their possible future in another city.

Since Draft day, Islanders fans have shelled out countless dollars for season tickets and Tavares-related merchandise. At this past weekend's rookie camp, at the Islanders training facility Ice Works, was packed with fans trying to get their first look at the new face of the franchise on the ice; with some arriving 3-4 hours before it started to ensure themselves a spot inside.

According to a source familiar with the 2009-10 NHL schedule, those same fans will get the opportunity to see Tavares sporting an Islanders jersey in a more meaningful way when the team kicks off its much-anticipated 2009-10 season at home on Oct. 3 at Nassau Coliseum: That's when Tavares will reportedly face-off against the defending

Tonight's 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will commence when the Commander-in-Chief, President Barack Obama, throws out the first pitch in front of a sold-out Busch Stadium with St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols on the receiving end.

The ceremonial first pitch is a longstanding tradition with presidents, actors, singers, athletes and others from all walks of life showing the baseball world either their world-class arms or interest in things other than baseball growing up.

Hockey players have been part of the celebrated tradition, as seen recently with two-time Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bill Guerin(notes) doing his part before a Pittsburgh Pirates game; as well as now-former Detroit Red Wing Chris Chelios(notes) dusting off his autographed Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown glove to kick things off before a Detroit Tigers matinee.

In honor of the US of A's "First Fan" doing tonight's first pitch honors, we take a look back at NHL'ers trying their best