Among the players who didn’t receive a qualifying offer this year, Danton Heinen raised a few eyebrows. Once an up-and-coming scoring threat with the Boston Bruins, his game has fallen off in recent years. The Pittsburgh Penguins will try to correct that path, signing Heinen to a one-year, $1.1MM contract today.
Now 26, this may be Heinen’s last chance to prove he can handle a scoring role in the NHL. The fourth-round pick scored 16 goals and 47 points as a rookie in Boston and looked like he was going to be the answer to the second-line scoring issues. He was even given a chance beside Patrice Bergeron for a time the next season, but failed to reach the same level of production.
Since then, it has been a steady downward slope in his career. At the trade deadline in 2019-20 he was flipped to the Anaheim Ducks for Nick Ritchie (who also happened to go unqualified this summer) where he has struggled. In 43 games during the 2020-21 season, he recorded just seven goals and 14 points despite seeing the most time beside Jakob Silfverberg and Adam Henrique.
There’s talent there that’s easy to see, but Heinen has to find a way to become more consistent in the offensive zone. In Pittsburgh, there’s a real chance that at some point he’ll be given an opportunity beside either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. He can’t afford to waste it this time, or that explosive rookie season will be quickly forgotten.
For the Penguins, moves like this are nothing new. Crosby has been asked to boost inexpensive linemates for years, and reclamation projects have become regular occurrences. In this case it doesn’t pose much risk with a contract that could be almost entirely buried in the minor leagues if necessary, but Heinen doesn’t offer much in a bottom-six role except penalty-kill ability.
Scoring 3rd liner spot filled for cheap.
Interesting upside. Looks like more grit on the way with about 850k to go
He’s the opposite of “grit.” Dude is a soft bottom-six forward whose production has declined every year he’s been in the NHL. He was never an “up-and-coming scoring threat” he was a 4th-round pick who happened to outperform during his rookie year. Boston fans barely noticed when he was moved off to Anaheim (where he was even worse.)
The kid at one time had good upside…Pittsburg always slots guys like him into top six roles. Potentially an interesting sleeper. I like the signing.
“Looks like more grit on the way” was in reference to the 850k left after signing the scoring forward Heinan
Where is joshbelltolls lol he’ll be hyped on this one
…in that signing this warm body for only a bit more than league minimum represents by far the best move they have made so far this offseason, yeah, I guess.
If McGinn is the dime store Tanev, I guess Heinan is the pennies on the dollar McCann.
Meanwhile, this might well be the least “truculent” team in NHL history. Why is Burke allowing this?
Because Burke doesn’t have as much say so as Hextall, that’s pretty obvious now.
Pens need to put out a press release: “The Pittsburgh Penguins have decided that Ron Hextall needs to spend more time with his family. We thank him for his dedication and service. Brian Burke has assumed the GM duties.”
Burke wants to win, at least. Not “build” AKA plod.
Yeah man, I knew you’d snap haha. I love reading your pens rants
Well, thanks? I personally prefer the posts where I sound like Homer Superfan because that means they are winning and/or making good moves to improve.
Heinen was always miscast as a scorer. He never really was a scorer. It was more wishful thinking. Heinen works hard & is good on the pk, but he has hands of concrete.
He was a 4th round pick, not the 4th overall. That was Sam Bennett, that year. Interestingly enough Nick Ritchie was 10th overall that year.
“Patrice Bergeon”
Heinen, is that Dutch?
The Penguins championship window has closed. It’s Hextall’s charge to keep the team competing for a playoff spot and to keep The Paint Can full. It’s not easy given the cap situation. I think Ritchie would be a good add to add a little truculence.
Is truculent the buzzword this month? Ever post has something about truculence. Is Brian Burke running this sight now?
*site