Heinen’s Path
Photo Credit: Joe Yerdon
So far, this season some young Bruins have shown flashes of their potential that make the future of this team exciting. One player people have not talked a lot about is Danton Heinen. Through 19 games this year the rookie has four goals and eight assists. The Bruins drafted Heinen in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL draft 116th overall. Heinen has played 28 games in the NHL over the last two seasons. This year it appears he is finding a permanent spot in Boston as his coaches are rewarding his efforts. The Bruins have many young talented players garnering attention such as Jake Debrusk, Charlie McAvoy, and Anders Bjork. If Heinen can keep up his production, then his name will be mentioned more alongside Boston’s young talent.
Emergence Of Heinen
Photo Credit: Jim Davis/ Globe Staff
Through twenty games this year Heinen has proven quietly impressive. He shows great vision offensively while playing on Boston’s top lines. Heinen has an extended look because of the injuries the Bruins have suffered so far this year, with injuries to some of their top forwards including David Krejci, David Backes, and Jake Debrusk. The Bruins fourth-round pick has shown consistency when the Bruins have not.
Why It’s Surprising
Photo Credit: Christopher Dolan/ Staff Photographer
Heinen has never been considered an elite prospect. Unlike Debrusk and the other Bruins youth, he did not start the season on the Bruins roster. He remains on the roster because he has not been overwhelmed by the increased pressure. Unlike most young players, he does not makie mistakes that cost this team. He has formed chemistry with some of the Bruins top players such as David Pastrnak, no easy task for a rookie. This has given head coach Bruce Cassidy the confidence to put him in any situation.
Expectations for Remainder Of The Season
This year the Bruins are committed to the youth of this team. They made that clear in the offseason when they did not sign or trade for any impact veterans. This works well for Heinen and the other young Bruins players. If Heinen can continue to play like he has, it will be hard for the Bruins to send him back to Providence. Management would not mind that outcome.
