BY IAN MENDES
sportsnet.ca

Dany Heatley ranks second in the league with 18 goals scored.

On the eve of his first showdown with his old team, Dany Heatley wants everyone to know that he is facing more pressure in San Jose than he did in Ottawa.

The way the star sniper sees it, he's now a centerpiece for a Sharks team that has continually failed to live up to expectations in the post-season.

"Define pressure? For me it's hockey pressure to do well and win games. Media pressure is different, but if we're talking pure hockey pressure, this team has a lot more pressure on it than we did in Ottawa," Heatley said on Monday afternoon.

Speaking to a small group of Ottawa reporters at his locker in San Jose on Monday, Heatley also tried to dispel the myth that he didn't enjoy his time under the microscope in a Canadian market.

"I like Canada and I still like playing there. I like the attention, that was never the problem in Ottawa," he explained. "Here's a little bit different, but there are still a lot of people covering the team. This is a really good hockey city and people really care about the team."

Heatley says he hasn't paid attention to the negative backlash he received back in Ottawa. His trade demand did not play out well with fans in the nation's capital and he was immediately branded as the most-hated player to ever wear a Senators jersey. Heatley has been able to leave Ottawa in his rear-view mirror because his transition to San Jose has been so smooth. The Sharks are currently sitting in first-place overall in the standings and Heatley ranks second in the league with 18 goals scored.

"I haven't been in Ottawa, but I've certainly moved on," said Heatley when asked of the animosity directed at him by Senators fans. "I'm happy to be here. I'm enjoying coming to the rink and playing hockey."

Heatley deftly dodged several questions about his departure from Ottawa, once again declining to reveal his specific reasons for wanting to leave this summer. His ex-Senators teammates have still not heard an explanation from Heatley and don't sound like they necessarily want one at this point.

"I don't think he owes anyone an explanation. It's all water under the bridge now," former linemate Jason Spezza said. "We didn't talk as much during that time (summer). But now it's back. You forgive and forget and you move on."

Heatley also evaded the question of the $4-million bonus that the Senators were forced to pay him on July 1st after he refused a trade to Edmonton. Ottawa owner Eugene Melnyk has filed a grievance to recoup that money, but Heatley did not want to open up about that situation on Monday.

"I'm not going to talk about that. I'm aware of it, but I'm just going to focus on hockey," he said.