Dany Heatley is the villain.
At least that's how the Ottawa Senators, their fans and perhaps, the Oilers and their fans view his ongoing reluctance to grant a move to Edmonton.
What's clear is Heatley won't be pushed and for reasons only he knows, Edmonton isn't the city he envisioned he would be in at the start of next season.
Part of the problem can be traced back to the NHL entry draft last weekend in Montreal. Heatley was led to believe both the San Jose Sharks and New York Rangers were both strong trading partners. Some suggested, the Los Angeles Kings showed interest as well.
Heatley was preparing for the trade.
No doubt he started thinking about life in California, playing for a contending Western Conference team like the Sharks, or the much improved Kings. Heatley thought about the excitement of New York City and how he might fit in with the Rangers.
If any of those teams had come up with a package suitable to the Senators, this deal would be done and Heatley will be merrily on his way.
Instead, Ottawa accepted the only offer Sens GM Bryan Murray deemed worthy. The only offer he had based on an asking price some teams reveal was too steep. An offer from the Edmonton Oilers that some close to Heatley say, ''blindsided'' him.
Heatley knew Edmonton was in the mix. How could he not? From the moment news broke he had requested a trade, Edmonton has been at, or near the top of the list of likely destinations. Heatley's meeting with the Oilers brass on Wednesday night was described as very good and he liked what he heard…just not enough to waive his no-move, end this saga and join a team that is desperate to bring him on board.
Heatley still believes there are other NHL options that haven't surfaced and he wasn't willing to bend to meet Ottawa's financial deadline to clear this trade.
He's not ready and won't be pushed, and fully understands the nastiness he's likely to face and the possibility his only option may be to go back to Ottawa, now enemy territory if Murray and Senators owner Eugene Melnyk dig in their heals, as some predict they might.
Regardless, this story will not have a happy ending.