The Dany Heatley trade saga is finally over. 

After months of speculation since news Heatley requested a trade from the Ottawa Senators broke in mid-June, including a failed early July deal with the Edmonton Oilers, the Senators dealt the disgruntled winger along with a fifth round pick to the San Jose Sharks. 

Heading to the Senators are forwards Milan Michalek and Jonathan Cheechoo plus a second round pick.

The Sharks were long rumored as the potential destination for Heatley, having been listed among the eight teams on his "wish list" of preferred destinations, but were the only club seen as having any real interest in getting a deal done over the course of the summer.

It took weeks however due in part to Heatley's large salary ($7.5 million per season) and the asking price (believed to be a top forward, puckmoving defenseman and first round pick) of Senators general manager Bryan Murray.

Rumor had it Murray initially sought centers Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau as part of the deal but neither player was available.

The return for the Senators isn't bad but one has to believe Murray settled instead of getting what he really wanted.

Not that he had much choice since Murray didn't want Heatley trade request to hang over the club in the upcoming season becoming an unnecessary distraction.

With this deal the Senators get two veteran forwards who could provide additional scoring depth but neither will sufficiently replace Heatley's scoring punch on the first line.

Cheechoo is a former 56-goal scorer and winner of the Richard Trophy as the league's leading goalscorer in 2005-06 but since that high-water mark his statistics steadily declined to his 12 goal, 27 point performance in 66 games in 2008-09.

Injuries played a role in the deterioration of the 29-year-old Cheechoo's offensive game and it's possible a change of scenery might help him regain some of his scoring touch but Senators fans shouldn't expect any more 50 goal performances from him. At best he might provide some second line scoring depth.

Michalek has been a consistent 20-plus goal-scorer over the past three seasons and netted a career-best 26 goals and 66 points in 2006-07.

At 24 Michalek has yet to hit his playing prime and might have the opportunity to shine playing on the first line with center Jason Spezza.

The dollars were a good fit for both clubs, with the Sharks sending nearly $8 million in salary back to the Senators whilst sending Heatley's $7.5 million to San Jose.

The move provides the Sharks with the potential for one of the most lethal offensive one-two punches in the NHL as Heatley, a former two-time 50 goal scorer, will be teamed up with Thornton, one of the top playmakers.

Sharks GM Doug Wilson promised fans changes would be in the offing following the club's disappointing early exit from the 2009 playoffs after winning the President's Trophy finishing first overall in the standings.

Taking on Heatley not only is a significant roster change but is a clear indication Wilson is loading up for a run at the Stanley Cup in 2010.

It remains to be seen if this move pays off in a championship but it should make the Sharks the favorite to dominate the Western Conference standings once again.