How do you solve a problem like Dany Heatley

Tim Crowell, Gilroy, Calif.

Every time I see Dany Heatley's name mentioned, it almost always is followed by the opinion that Heatley is has morality issues because he exercised the clause in his contract that allows him to say no to a trade.

It was part of the negotiations in his contract that he probably gave up either years or salary or both to get. Does any employee of The Hockey News or any other worker give up holidays or waive overtime pay or anything else they're entitled to?

And why doesn't anyone in the NHLPA ever stand up publicly for Heatley?

Let this be a lesson to all NHL GMs: if you don't want a "Heatley Problem" in the future, don't offer a no-trade contract.

Problem solved.