Former Ottawa Senators forward Dany Heatley and team owner Eugene Melnyk have reached a settlement over a grievance Melnyk filed in 2009 concerning a $4-million bonus Heatley was paid, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. The terms of the settlement are unknown.
Heatley, who currently plays for the Minnesota Wild, spent four seasons with the Sens from 2005 to 2009. Despite signing a six-year, $45-million contract extension in 2007, Heatley requested a trade following the 2008-09 campaign. However, the two-time Olympian refused to waive his no-trade clause for a deal that would have sent him to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Dustin Penner, Andrew Cogliano and Ladislav Smid on June 30, 2009. on July 1, the Sens were forced to pay Heatley a $4-million bonus.
The Calgary native, plus a fifth-round pick in 2010 NHL Draft, was eventually traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo and a 2010 second-round pick.
During his time in Ottawa, Heatley registered a whopping 180 goals in 317 regular season games. Heatley was drafted second-overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2000 and has 765 points in 796 NHL games. This season with the Wild he has struggled, registering just two assists in nine games.
