Dany Heatley will break his silence on Friday and will participate in both a media conference call and a follow-up press conference in Kelowna, B.C to address his ongoing stalemate with the Ottawa Senators.
Heatley has denied all interview requests since asking for a trade in June. His motivation for finally discussing his situation is merely to deflect any negative attention from Canada's Olympic orientation camp which opens Monday in Calgary.
Heatley will be accompanied in Kelowna by agent Stacey McAlpine who says we shouldn't expect his client to shed much light on why the star winger wants out of Ottawa. "There are several factors and a variety of reasons," McAlpine told TSN. "However, out of respect to the Ottawa Senators and all involved, Dany is not getting into specifics...that will remain confidential."
JP Barry, who also represents Heatley, says if a trade doesn't take place before NHL training camps open, Heatley will honour his contract and will report to Ottawa as per usual.
Barry says the Senators have been officially notified Heatley will be in camp if his trade request isn't met.
While Heatley's return to Ottawa may generate some tension, Sens general manager Bryan Murray (via email) says that the Senators have no problem with Dany.