Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray is finding out that trading Dany Heatley is more difficult than he could have ever imagined. Like, maybe impossible.

Ottawa Senator head coach Cory Clouston (L) looks back as Dany Heatley rests along the boards during the team practice at Scotiabank Place.

Photograph by : Ottawa Citizen

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On the eve of the NHL draft, three weeks after Heatley's demand became public on June 8, the Senators haven't had an offer. Not even one for the proverbial bag of hockey pucks.

Consequently, they don't believe they'll be able to trade Heatley this weekend, and even fear they'll be unable to deal him by July 1, when he must be paid a signing bonus of $4 million U.S.

That could lead to the possibility of Heatley having to play for the Senators next season, however unpleasant that may be for both sides.

Assistant general manager Tim Murray, speaking in place of Bryan yesterday, acknowledged that's a distinct possibility.

"We're not giving him away because he has made the demand to be traded," he said. "It has to be a good hockey deal or it won't get done.

"And then we just assume on Sept. 14 or 15 he'll show up at training camp, and be part of our team and go forward, and (be) a big part of our team, obviously."

Tim Murray said the organization was trying to stay hopeful. More than six teams have called asking about the parameters of a trade. But no one has called back.

"I know Bryan has talked to a few different teams and it doesn't seem like there's a serious offer there right at this moment," he said. "But again, I remember doing different deals with Bryan . . . and they just come out of the blue in the last second.

"We're just staying hopeful."

The rumours about possible destinations for Heatley have been knee deep, as speculation begins to swell for the draft. But the view among many is that the Senators are stuck.

"This is not going to happen," one agent said yesterday afternoon. "His contract is unmovable."

Heatley's agents are also taking a beating from their colleagues for making the demand public, especially with the way it appears to be going horribly sideways.

"This is the most moronic thing I've ever heard," one agent said.

"No responsible agent would ever do this for a client. You have to tell him that it's just going to kill the chances of making a deal."

The Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks are thought to be among those who have called Murray and offered various packages.

In fact, no one has offered anything. Some teams have even been calling reporters to make it clear they haven't bid, despite speculation.

Heatley's contract is a stumbling block. He has five years left with an annual salary-cap hit of $7.5 million.

"I don't know what (the other teams are) thinking," Tim Murray said. "They make the call. They ask us the parameters of a trade. We tell them basically what we're looking for, in NHL players, prospects or draft picks.

"Then it's up to them to decide if they're serious or not."

So far, they're not.