Player Discussion Danton Heinen

[Mick Riddleton]

Yeah, but has he been able to round that Loui Eriksson out of his game yet?

If he plays like the way Eriksson played the last year for us I would be extremely happy, he was tied for second in pts, 5 behind Bergy. I for one would be thrilled if he is like that, with a little more speed and stay away from concussions as a bonus.

 

[ON3M4N]

So much good talent that is NHL ready, but we just have no room. At some point you have to think Donny starts cashing in some chips for bigger pieces...maybe a true young LHD

 

[Colt.45Orr]

4pts in his "return" to the AHL tonight --1g and 3 primary* assists.

 

[JoeIsAStud]

So much good talent that is NHL ready, but we just have no room. At some point you have to think Donny starts cashing in some chips for bigger pieces...maybe a true young LHD

Problem is, young D are extraordinarily expensive . You can't get a young established potential top pairing LHD unless you are willing to give up something like Pasta (or a potential franchise center type, and currently the Bruins don't have one). If you are looking to package a Heinen and maybe another young guy, all you are going to get is some other organization's Lauzon or Zboril at most, a young unproven very talent player who hasn't established himself yet. Maybe you could get a mid career approaching FA type if a team has one and falls out of the playoff race. Ultimately the Bruins are loaded with LHD prospects a few of whom could be top 4 types, and all of whom could bust

Back to Heinen. Great to see him having the start he has had. He is such a smart player, with such a 200 foot game, you have to figure he will find a role in the organization

 

[ODAAT]

Heinen seems to be a prospect who fans here are a bit divided on. Some are less than impressed or excited about him, others seem to appreciate and like his game

I fall into the latter category despite my sample size of watching him likely being far smaller than many here. I also am an admitted fan of 3 zone players (Claude Junior)

Watching him in 2 of the 3 games he played with the B`s this year, his game reminded me of Loui`s (hear me out before screaming at me), positionally sound, won`t bring anyone out of their seats with an end to end rush ala Pasta, but does the little things and doesn`t cheat.

Boring to some, not for me. I haven`t a clue where he`d likely fit in best when all is said and done. I could see him being a 4th liner but I "think' his perfect landing spot when all is settled will be as a 3rd liner and I`m ok with that

 

[BruinDust]

Heinen seems to be a prospect who fans here are a bit divided on. Some are less than impressed or excited about him, others seem to appreciate and like his game

I fall into the latter category despite my sample size of watching him likely being far smaller than many here. I also am an admitted fan of 3 zone players (Claude Junior)

Watching him in 2 of the 3 games he played with the B`s this year, his game reminded me of Loui`s (hear me out before screaming at me), positionally sound, won`t bring anyone out of their seats with an end to end rush ala Pasta, but does the little things and doesn`t cheat.

Boring to some, not for me. I haven`t a clue where he`d likely fit in best when all is said and done. I could see him being a 4th liner but I "think' his perfect landing spot when all is settled will be as a 3rd liner and I`m ok with that

I think so to.

I think when it's all said and done he'll fall somewhere in between a PJ Axelsson (he reminds me of a Axelsson with better hands) and a Loui Eriksson, a 3rd line two-way winger who can play both PP and PK and not look out of place on either, and can also move up into the Top 6 from time to time.

 

[ON3M4N]

Heinen seems to be a prospect who fans here are a bit divided on. Some are less than impressed or excited about him, others seem to appreciate and like his game

I fall into the latter category despite my sample size of watching him likely being far smaller than many here. I also am an admitted fan of 3 zone players (Claude Junior)

Watching him in 2 of the 3 games he played with the B`s this year, his game reminded me of Loui`s (hear me out before screaming at me), positionally sound, won`t bring anyone out of their seats with an end to end rush ala Pasta, but does the little things and doesn`t cheat.

Boring to some, not for me. I haven`t a clue where he`d likely fit in best when all is said and done. I could see him being a 4th liner but I "think' his perfect landing spot when all is settled will be as a 3rd liner and I`m ok with that

I like Henien and think he's going to be a solid player. I think you hit it dead on w/ the Loui comp. They both just have this smooth/no panic look to their game when they are at their best.

 

[ODAAT]

I think so to.

I think when it's all said and done he'll fall somewhere in between a PJ Axelsson (he reminds me of a Axelsson with better hands) and a Loui Eriksson, a 3rd line two-way winger who can play both PP and PK and not look out of place on either, and can also move up into the Top 6 from time to time.

I`ll take that

 

[mar2kbos]

Heinen needs to be up. Move Backes to center and slot Heinen on the wing. He looked good last stint. Showed strength holding onto the puck and made smart plays. He has nothing more to learn in Providence.

 

[Mainehockey33]

It’s baffling he’s in Providence right now. I think he has more offensive upside then some think, look at what he did in the playoffs for Providence last year. Not flashy but heady. I agree with people saying he should be on the third line with Backes and Cehlarik or Debrusk.

He’s produced at every level in his career so far and his latest stint in Boston was very promising.

 

[ON3M4N]

I'm sure Sweeney and Co would love to have him up, but they have to make room for him first. I will say thought I'm surprised he didn't get the call up instead of Senyshyn. Still makes me wonder if Sweeney is showcasing some guys for a potential trade.

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

I've got to say...reading these posts was the first time I learned Heinen had put up 3 points in 3 games. Really did not notice him at all.

Non-noticeable D-men give me more hope than non-noticeable forwards, but the results were there for a brief stretch from Heinen. As long as he is contributing, he should be in line to be called up and put in some NHL action.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Is Heinen playing left or right wing in Providence?

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Is Heinen playing left or right wing in Providence?

The box score had him listed at C, but both Swarz and Czarnik play C also (and Czarnik was listed as a C as well).

Given that Heinen is the only LH shot of the three, guessing he was at LW?


Edit: Diver had him listed at LW from the practice lines yesterday

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I've got to say...reading these posts was the first time I learned Heinen had put up 3 points in 3 games. Really did not notice him at all.

Non-noticeable D-men give me more hope than non-noticeable forwards, but the results were there for a brief stretch from Heinen. As long as he is contributing, he should be in line to be called up and put in some NHL action.

I’m not going to pretend to be some hockey savant, but I do know enough to watch guys away from the puck (live) and to follow the play back from a goal or scoring chance. Heinen is generally not a dynamic flashy player (although his SH goal last night in PRO sounded like a beauty) so you have to watch him closely. He’s typically a guy that will do “all the little things” and make smart moves which lead to chances/goals.

After seeing him at Denver, he does have good hands and is an excellent passer. I’m hoping that as he adjusts to NHL game speed (like he did in the PO’s last year) his offensive game will begin to show more.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

The box score had him listed at C, but both Swarz and Czarnik play C also (and Czarnik was listed as a C as well).

Given that Heinen is the only LH shot of the three, guessing he was at LW?


Edit: Diver had him listed at LW from the practice lines yesterday

Thanks.

Wish the B's didn't have to play so many guys on their off wing. Glut of lefties up front, glut of righties on D.

Seems the European players thrive on their off wing, so of course one of our only right shot right wings is Pasta.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Thanks.

Wish the B's didn't have to play so many guys on their off wing. Glut of lefties up front, glut of righties on D.

Seems the European players thrive on their off wing, so of course one of our only right shot right wings is Pasta.

You are correct about the young LH forwards, although as you also pointed out, three of those guys seem very capable of playing the off wing. I think you have to look at players individually (not by country). Some can play the off wing and some can’t. In the offensive zone, playing on your off wing can actually provide more/better opportunities.


LH shots:

Bjork
DeBrusk
Heinen
Cehlarik
Agostino
Gabrielle
Fitz
Frederic


RH shots:

Pasta
Senyshyn
Czarnik
Steen
Studnicka


On the defense, the NHL team has more RH shots, but the best prospects are all lefties:

Zboril
Lauzon
ROG (can play right side)
Grizz
Johansson (believe he can play right also)
Lindgren
UV


It will be interesting to see how this all plays out

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Heinen's stint in Boston last season was one I wasn't at all impressed with. I remember folks defending his game by saying "he doesn't make mistakes", which is pretty easy to do when you're never actually making plays.

BUT, I never wrote him off. I don't expect players to just jump into the NHL and impress immediately.

By all accounts, both he and DeBrusk made big strides in the second half of their respective AHL seasons, with Heinen posting dominant numbers in their playoff run.

The Heinen I've watched in Boston this season is probably twice the player who was up last year. The quickness and intuitive decision-making is night-and-day. He looks like a legit NHL difference-maker and it's only a matter of time before he cements his place on the roster.

 

[DKH]

Heinen seems to be a prospect who fans here are a bit divided on. Some are less than impressed or excited about him, others seem to appreciate and like his game

I fall into the latter category despite my sample size of watching him likely being far smaller than many here. I also am an admitted fan of 3 zone players (Claude Junior)

Watching him in 2 of the 3 games he played with the B`s this year, his game reminded me of Loui`s (hear me out before screaming at me), positionally sound, won`t bring anyone out of their seats with an end to end rush ala Pasta, but does the little things and doesn`t cheat.

Boring to some, not for me. I haven`t a clue where he`d likely fit in best when all is said and done. I could see him being a 4th liner but I "think' his perfect landing spot when all is settled will be as a 3rd liner and I`m ok with that

I'm not sure how anyone who's watched him since last March to today can not like this player

 

[gumgum]

he’s as good a player on the boards and around the net as debrusk, just needs to find the right line with the big club to get some flow and confidence.

 

[ODAAT]

It’s baffling he’s in Providence right now. I think he has more offensive upside then some think, look at what he did in the playoffs for Providence last year. Not flashy but heady. I agree with people saying he should be on the third line with Backes and Cehlarik or Debrusk.

He’s produced at every level in his career so far and his latest stint in Boston was very promising.

100% pure guess here but at some point, if the Cehlarik/Heinen`s continue the strong play in Providence, DS will be on the phone`s trying to make room. Now, not sure who he`d put out there as bait but that`s my guess.

 

[ODAAT]

I'm not sure how anyone who's watched him since last March to today can not like this player

me neither then I look back and think of some names from the past who I just didn`t get on board with as much as others in spite of them being more than worthy of my well respected praise

Sobotka and Marchand front and center in recent years

 

[ODAAT]

Heinen's stint in Boston last season was one I wasn't at all impressed with. I remember folks defending his game by saying "he doesn't make mistakes", which is pretty easy to do when you're never actually making plays.

BUT, I never wrote him off. I don't expect players to just jump into the NHL and impress immediately.

By all accounts, both he and DeBrusk made big strides in the second half of their respective AHL seasons, with Heinen posting dominant numbers in their playoff run.

The Heinen I've watched in Boston this season is probably twice the player who was up last year. The quickness and intuitive decision-making is night-and-day. He looks like a legit NHL difference-maker and it's only a matter of time before he cements his place on the roster.

Good post, I get the feeling he`ll be one of those players who we will grow to really respect and he`ll play a valuable role at some point, but he`ll also be a guy who won`t garner a ton of ink or interwebz appreciation.

He seems to be (in my very limited viewings) a guy who goes about his business quietly, does his job.

Any way you cut it, if Bjork and Heinen wind up being full timers in Boston and being useful, potentially key players down the road, I`ll take it, a 4th and a 5th rounder? Yes please, talk about a nice little return on investment

 

[GlenFeatherstone]

For people that have been watching him in Providence, is there any possibility Danton could play center? His IQ and playmaking ability feels like he could. If so could a line of him centering Backes and Cehlarik work?

 

[BruinDust]

For people that have been watching him in Providence, is there any possibility Danton could play center? His IQ and playmaking ability feels like he could. If so could a line of him centering Backes and Cehlarik work?

It's an interesting idea. I agree his IQ, anticipation, positioning and playmaking ability seem like quality talents for a two-way center. I'd be surprised if he didn't play center at lower levels prior to reaching the NCAA (not uncommon for elite-level bantam/midget players).