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Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:45 am EDT

Temperature check on Dany Heatley's hot start

By Greg Wyshynski

Dany Heatley(notes) was given the No. 1 star by the NHL for the week ending Oct. 11, after his five goals and three assists in three games for the San Jose Sharks. Like the nasty, selfish, locker room cancer he was made out to be in the media during his summer of discontent, Heatley ... deflected the praise to linemates Joe Thornton(notes) and Devin Setoguchi(notes).

From Sharks writer David Pollak:

"It's a reflection that our line has played well," he said. "When we're skating, we're going to get our chances."

Coach Todd McLellan said Heatley positions himself well and has shown the ability to take shots that aren't necessarily in his wheelhouse.

"The pass can be off by a little bit and he seems to adjust his body very well," McLellan said. "The other thing he does is protect the puck while he's shooting so a lot of other guys don't get their sticks on it."

There shouldn't have been any question that Heatley would click with the Sharks, but even after going scoreless last game against the Phoenix Coyotes it's been a rather torrid start for him: five goals, five assists and a plus-3.

We were wondering where this six-game grand opening ranks in Heater's goal-scoring history. Here's a comparison:

So pretty much the best start ever, then, even for a player that comes out of the gate pretty fast historically. No wonder they're chanting his name at the Tank.

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42 Comments

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  1. Dany Heatley Speedwagon
    1. Posted by Dany Heatley Speedwagon Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:57 am EDT

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    "a player that comes out of the gate pretty fast historically"
    That pretty much says it all doesn't it?
  2. Rhonda
    2. Posted by Rhonda Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:01 am EDT

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    Heatley = proof that there is no such thing as Karma.
  3. Dany Heatley Speedwagon
    3. Posted by Dany Heatley Speedwagon Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:09 am EDT

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    "Temperature Check on Dany Heatley's Hot Start"
    Is it getting Dany Heatley in here?
  4. N.Y. NIGHTMARE
    4. Posted by N.Y. NIGHTMARE Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:11 am EDT

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    i got him 37th overall in fantasy,
    please keep it up heater!
  5. Tacks
    5. Posted by Tacks Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:12 am EDT

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    Good for you Dany. Save some of your mojo for the olympics though, we're going to need it.
  6. Jerk Store
    6. Posted by Jerk Store Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:18 am EDT

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    fear not haters, heatley will still disappear in the playoffs, as will the sharks
  7. Jerk Store
    7. Posted by Jerk Store Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:23 am EDT

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    @3 - i prefer the expression "dale earnhardt got heatleyed"
  8. j0ehoe
    8. Posted by j0ehoe Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:23 am EDT

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    Thornton is gonna pay off so well for me
  9. SJ Sharkie
    9. Posted by SJ Sharkie Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:46 am EDT

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    I love a big bowl of sour grapes in the morning. Oh and for all the Sens fans saying Heatley is going to vanish in the playoffs boy do I have news for you. The only time Michalek ends up on the highlight reel in the playoffs is when he's getting absolutely destroyed because he can't keep his head up.
    Michalek: 16 points in 39 playoff games
    Heatley: 35 points in 34 playoff games
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0KC91Wuz2k
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sod125xJERI&feature=related
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxeFNg88SBk
  10. yingleberry
    10. Posted by yingleberry Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:02 pm EDT

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    i didnt realize the visors could be that big, high sticks should never again be called against heatley...
  11. NYR34
    11. Posted by NYR34 Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:04 pm EDT

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    Games ending in ties. Those are so John Ziegler.
  12. NYR34
    12. Posted by NYR34 Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:04 pm EDT

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    Games ending in ties. Those are so John Ziegler.
  13. NYR34
    13. Posted by NYR34 Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:05 pm EDT

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    @yingle
    They look like riot police gear at one of those economic summits overseas, right?
  14. Andy
    14. Posted by Andy Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:09 pm EDT

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    @9.
    Nobody's saying that Michalek's better than Heatley. Just saying that when Heatley faces physical teams in the playoffs that he disappears.
  15. Fin-atic
    15. Posted by Fin-atic Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:23 pm EDT

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    I don't care about the hot start, I want to see the hot finish.
  16. The Planet
    16. Posted by The Planet Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:27 pm EDT

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    Otta-who?
    Go Sharks!
  17. emily h
    17. Posted by emily h Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:37 pm EDT

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    History is just that history. It's a new season, and different Sharks team! All you Heatley haters are just jealous because he left for a better team.
    LET'S GO SHARKS!!!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN4Uucm40UE
  18. SharksRedSoxFan
    18. Posted by SharksRedSoxFan Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:48 pm EDT

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    I've been a Sharks fan for ages. Excluding goalies (because the jumbotron and organist lead those Nab-by or Ir-be chants), that's the first time I know of where the fans have chanted a player's name. Sent chills up my spine.
  19. Russ Cargill
    19. Posted by Russ Cargill Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:49 pm EDT

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    Wait...they're chanting DOUCHEBAG at the shark tank?!?
  20. habs1rule
    20. Posted by habs1rule Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:49 pm EDT

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    The terrible car incident aside..When has Dany Heatley really been with a stable franchise surrounded by such good players..I will give him the benefit of the doubt playing with San Jose. If he cant perform and be happy there, the dude has problems.
  21. habs1rule
    21. Posted by habs1rule Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:50 pm EDT

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    @15..Awesome!!
  22. Jerk Store
    22. Posted by Jerk Store Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:58 pm EDT

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    @19 - WIN
  23. Alain
    23. Posted by Alain Thu Oct 15, 2009 1:58 pm EDT

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    Enjoy the ride while it lasts Sharks fans. Some day Heater's going to be unhappy again and he becomes poison to all that come near him. Does Vegas have an over/under on how many years that will take this time?
  24. The Rat
    24. Posted by The Rat Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:21 pm EDT

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    James Yim is gay
  25. 5 4 fighting
    25. Posted by 5 4 fighting Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:24 pm EDT

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    There was never a doubt about the mans play- just a doubt about his commitment to a team and fellow players.

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