DANTON HEINEN - Center - 23 - $.872MM Cap Hit - RFA in 2019-2020
LAST UPDATED 1/30/19
The Bruin’s 4th round pick in Peter Chiarelli’s final draft with the Bruins (2014), Heinen’s NHL career has been difficult to judge so far. Through the trade deadline of the 2018-19 season, Heinen had been producing incredibly well for a rookie, until the Bruins acquired Rick Nash and Heinen lost his place on the second line with David Krejci. Heinen’s decline was so sudden that he was even scratched for several playoff games. This season, Heinen has not returned to his pre-2018 Trade Deadline form, with his playing time being reduced to the third and fourth lines. Similar to Jake DeBrusk, no one facet of Heinen’s game stands out, which limits potential as a top-6 forward. He plays a strong two-way game and can play as a center or a winger, and while his versatility is an asset his inconsistency is certainly not. Furthermore, much of Heinen’s success last season seems to be from playing with Krejci and DeBrusk, and he has proven unable to produce without the support of two skilled players. Currently, Heinen’s skill level seems like that of a third line two-way forward, but given how up and down his role on the team has been, it’s hard to judge his ceiling. If he can prove he can drive offense and produce like he did in his rookie season, he could top out as a great 2C and David Krejci's replacement. But that seems unlikely given his current production, so it's far more realistic he ends up a solid two-way bottom-6 center who can play higher in the lineup with more skilled players if needed.
The Bruin’s 4th round pick in Peter Chiarelli’s final draft with the Bruins (2014), Heinen’s NHL career has been difficult to judge so far. Through the trade deadline of the 2018-19 season, Heinen had been producing incredibly well for a rookie, until the Bruins acquired Rick Nash and Heinen lost his place on the second line with David Krejci. Heinen’s decline was so sudden that he was even scratched for several playoff games. This season, Heinen has not returned to his pre-2018 Trade Deadline form, with his playing time being reduced to the third and fourth lines. Similar to Jake DeBrusk, no one facet of Heinen’s game stands out, which limits potential as a top-6 forward. He plays a strong two-way game and can play as a center or a winger, and while his versatility is an asset his inconsistency is certainly not. Furthermore, much of Heinen’s success last season seems to be from playing with Krejci and DeBrusk, and he has proven unable to produce without the support of two skilled players. Currently, Heinen’s skill level seems like that of a third line two-way forward, but given how up and down his role on the team has been, it’s hard to judge his ceiling. If he can prove he can drive offense and produce like he did in his rookie season, he could top out as a great 2C and David Krejci's replacement. But that seems unlikely given his current production, so it's far more realistic he ends up a solid two-way bottom-6 center who can play higher in the lineup with more skilled players if needed.
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