Dany Heatley's departure for San Jose appeared to be a relief for his former Ottawa Senator teammates who spoke to the media Sunday.
"You're never going to replace his 50 goals but I think we're a better team now," said centre Jason Spezza. "We're getting more depth."
"It's one less distraction," said Daniel Alfredsson.
"We had one good player and now we have two," said forward Nick Foligno.
Heatley was traded Saturday to the San Jose Sharks from the Ottawa Senators for forwards Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek, along with a second-round draft pick.
Heatley spent the morning working out with his former teammates, most of whom had left Scotiabank Place by the time the trade was announced.
"I don't think I did anything wrong asking for a trade," he told reporters Saturday. "I have my reasons for it and if people think differently of me that's fine.
"But I think I did nothing wrong and I'm happy to move on."
The trade ended three months of constant speculation about Heatley's future in Ottawa after the disgruntled winger demanded a trade in June. Heatley told reporters during a recent conference call that the request came from his "diminished" role on the Senators.
Senators GM Bryan Murray said replacing a 50-goal scorer is never easy, but that the trade, combined with the addition of Alexei Kovalev, will improve the team.
Heatley scored 39 goals, along with 33 assists last season, marking his lowest point totals since joining the Senators in 2005.
Earlier this summer he refused a proposed trade to the Edmonton Oilers for forwards Andrew Cogliano and Dustin Penner and defenceman Ladislav Smid.
