Hockey betting fans weren’t exactly on the edge of their seats, but Dany Heatley’s press conference today was a topic of interest. After weeks of hockey brass and disgruntled fans putting words/soothers in this mouth, he broke his silence.

Did we learn anything? Hardly. Breaking news! Heatley wanted more choices for trade destinations! What a bombshell!

So he wanted to go to California. What player wouldn’t want that versus Edmonton, by far the northernmost city in the NHL?

What interests me most about Heatley’s situation isn’t his next home. It isn’t his diminished role on the Senators or possibly losing the “A” from his sweater or any of that mumbo-jumbo.

It’s that “between the lines” theory that always hides behind any seemingly out-of-nowhere trade request in hockey. Think about it. Why would Heatley sign a multi-year deal and hit the ejector seat after one year?

I don’t want to make any accusations or claims that what I’ve heard is true. But, based on what I’ve heard through the grapevine, something may have gone down between Heatley and Spezza. Something similar to what may have happened between these players:

- Eric Lindros and Rod Brind’Amour

- Gary Leeman and Al Iafrate

- Tony Amonte and Jeremy Roenick

- Theo Fleury and Doug Gilmour

- Mike Comrie and Tommy Salo

- Shayne Corson and Alexander Mogilny

Reportedly, in each of those cases, one of the players found himself traded, requested a trade, or left the team. Again — I don’t want to drag any names through the mud. But let’s just say the rumors involved a certain biblical commandment about coveting thy neighbour’s wife. And we know Heatley jumped ship on Spezza’s wedding.

Sure would explain why Heatley wants out of town so badly, wouldn’t it?