When people think of Ottawa Senators legends, one of the first names that comes to mind is Dany Heatley. Although Heatley spent four seasons wearing the Senators red and black, his impact goes down in Senators history.
In 317 career games from 2005-2009, Heatley totaled for 362 points. Heatley recorded back-to-back 50-goal and 100-point seasons in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 season. Heatley's impaxt was on full display in the Senators' run to the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals.
Heatley joined his former teammates of the Pizza Line yesterday in the Senators' 2-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings. Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza joined Heatley for the first time in 15 years at Canadian Tire Centre. Heatley spoke highly of not only how much the Senators meant to him, but how much he loved the city of Ottawa.
Heatley "loved" living in Ottawa and playing for the Senators
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, might not be a city that many people would want to live in, but it didn't bother Heatley one bit when he played for the Senators for four seasons. Heatley spoke highly of the city of Ottawa and reflected on his time with the Senators in an interview with Kyle Bukauskas.
"I loved coming to the rink everyday. I loved being here. I loved living here."
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 6, 2024
Dany Heatley talks with @sportsnetkyle about his return to Ottawa ahead of a special night at the Canadian Tire Centre. pic.twitter.com/woC2xtJQdO
"I loved coming to the rink everyday," Heatley said. "I loved being here. I loved living here."
Heatley had been hoping of reuniting with his Pizza Line teammates since he left Ottawa in 2009, and particularly after his NHL career was done after playing six games with the Anaheim Ducks in the 2014-15 season.
After the 2008-09 season, Heatley requested a trade from the Senators. After his request, the Senators traded Heatley to the San Jose Sharks. Heatley recorded 82 points in his first season in San Jose after the trade. Despite requesting a trade, Heatley has no regrets about wanting to leave Ottawa. Even with being traded by the Senators, Heatley was happy to be back in Ottawa and spoke highly of the Senator fans.
"They're great fans," Heatley said. "They love hockey, and I hope they enjoy that I'm back."
Heatley, Spezza and Alfredsson will go down as one of the best lines in NHL history, and the best line in Senators history. In the 2007 playoffs, all three of them each recorded 22 points. Heatley and Alfredsson each recorded 103 points in the 2005-06 season.
The Pizza Line will forever be loved by Senators fans. The three deserved a well received reception when all three of them were all together on the ice for the ceremonial puck drop.