WASHINGTON -- There is no love lost for Dany Heatley in Atlanta.
Some of the fans who booed him relentlessly during the Senators ugly 8-3 loss to Thrashers on Monday told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution they had every right to express their displeasure.
"He thumbed his nose at the support the city gave him," fan Nancy Gawryszewski said. "I thought he showed a lot of integrity through the ordeal, then a complete lack of integrity when he asked to be traded."
One five-year season ticket holder, Dennis Grogan, showed up early just to jeer Heatley.
"Welcome back, you jerk!" screamed Grogan.
But the Thrashers players didn't support the actions of their fans.
"In my opinion, it was pretty unclassy to boo him," said Atlanta defenceman Andy Sutton. "I don't think he should be booed. He gave the people of Atlanta everything he had (while he was playing here). Circumstances went a certain way, and Dany needed a move.
"If fans want to try to equate the trade, they can. I don't know if you can look at it tit-for-tat, but we are playing well now and (Marian Hossa and Greg de Vries) are definitely a big part of it.
"They're playing great."
ATTENDANCE UP: The Senators are one of the biggest gainers in the NHL in attendance. Crowds at the Corel Centre are up 13% over the 2003-04 season and there aren't many tickets for home games remaining before the Olympic break.
