Player Discussion Danton Heinen

[GlenFeatherstone]

few things on Heinen

1. He struggled for a long stretch in Providence but when April came around in the biggest and most important games he blew away his regular season PPG stats posting a line of 9G-9A 18 points in 17 games to lead all rookie scorers and break the Providence mark of Krejci and Marchand.

2. I went opening night and although the Agostino-JFK-Cehlarik line dominated, Heinen as I posted that night in the game thread was on and around the puck like no time I remember last year including the couple of playoff games I saw him. Was he faster? quicker? more confident? not sure but he was better and one of the obvious standout players on the ice.

3. Boston in his 3 game stint two weeks ago getting 3 assists and not looking one bit out of place.

4. In Providence 3 games in 3 days this past weekend he registered 8 points including a short handed goal in 3 wins. Mark Diiver who covers the team for the Providence Journal and is one of the best hockey writers anywhere was very complimentary on his overall play- pretty much painted a dominant picture,

Does this mean he will make it? no but when new evidence presents itself you'd be wise to consider it

Great post. So my original question a page back was could he play center in the NHL or do you think he is strictly a winger? I think with his high IQ and playmaking ability he can. I think him centering Backes and a Cehlarik or Agostino or maybe even a Vatrano could be a solid 3rd line right now

 

[ODAAT]

good lord, this place never fails bringing the crazy.

The B`s have a 4th round pick who`s progressing/developing nicely and looking more comfortable at both the AHL and NHL level during a short call-up and fans complaining? Get over it. I completely understand he hasn`t made it full time yet (less about his game, more about contracts/waivers IMO), but credit where it`s due, Heinen is/has clearly put the work in to improve under solid coaching and he`s developing in a very positive way.

 

[KnightofBoston]

I think Heinen is too good offensively for the AHL but he still has a lot of room for improvement of both sides of the puck, and his ability to battle for pucks. He's going to continue to improve in this area even down in providence

That said, he and cehlarik should both be up at some point provides Sweeney makes the right moves so we don't lose any players for nothing like we did with subban

 

[PlayMakers]

Great post. So my original question a page back was could he play center in the NHL or do you think he is strictly a winger? I think with his high IQ and playmaking ability he can. I think him centering Backes and a Cehlarik or Agostino or maybe even a Vatrano could be a solid 3rd line right now

I had the same thought. He did play center for the Eagles in the BCHL before he was drafted but was primarily a wing in college. Still, I'd bet he can do it. He's very smart and his compete level has been outstanding this season. The question is, do they want him there? They seem to get kind of inflexible on where they see players. Clearly, they see Backes as a wing, and that doesn't look like it's going to change. I mean, that would be an easy fix, put Backes in the middle of Agostino and Heinen, but they just don't see Backes as a center for some reason.

So the question of can Heinen play center probably takes a backseat to the question, "Do they see Heinen as a center?" With Czarnik and JFK in Providence and Frederic and Studnicka coming down the pike, my guess is no.

 

[ODAAT]

I think Heinen is too good offensively for the AHL but he still has a lot of room for improvement of both sides of the puck, and his ability to battle for pucks. He's going to continue to improve in this area even down in providence

That said, he and cehlarik should both be up at some point provides Sweeney makes the right moves so we don't lose any players for nothing like we did with subban

Think it`s only time before DS figures out how to move/demote or clear a body or two out to make room for some that will offer more and Heinen will likely be one of them. I`m horrific at projections but I`ll try, initially I think the perfect learning spot for him is the 4th line ala Marchand. No, doesn`t have the jam of a typical 4th liner but I`m not one who thinks that is necessarily a bad thing.

Ultimately, I wouldn`t be shocked if he tops out as a 3rd liner who Butch can tap on the shoulder to play in most situations as he`ll become one of those trusted players or, as HF calls em "binkies", maybe a 40 pt guy, tops 50. Pretty nice return on one`s investment if all goes well

 

[DKH]

Great post. So my original question a page back was could he play center in the NHL or do you think he is strictly a winger? I think with his high IQ and playmaking ability he can. I think him centering Backes and a Cehlarik or Agostino or maybe even a Vatrano could be a solid 3rd line right now

I really don't know- Joe thinks he can and when it comes to Heinen for those questions he's the guy. Joe would watch his college games just to see him.

After 20 games we will have a 'read' on players, at 40 games quite a bit of information

My early 'read' is I want Heinen playing on the third line full time

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I think Heinen is too good offensively for the AHL but he still has a lot of room for improvement of both sides of the puck, and his ability to battle for pucks. He's going to continue to improve in this area even down in providence

That said, he and cehlarik should both be up at some point provides Sweeney makes the right moves so we don't lose any players for nothing like we did with subban

Everyone has “room for improvement” in their game. The reason I want Heinen up in Boston is because Development is a progression. It appears to me that Heinen has more than adapted to AHL game speed and is dominating offensively and defensively at this point (he was excellent on the PK in PRO this past weekend).

He’s the kind of player that needs time at NHL speed and against NHL talent to acclimate. I think he’s starting to already, and he looked much more confident this year as opposed to last, but the more NHL time he gets, the quicker he will start to produce IMO.

I look at a kid like Pasta, Bjork to a lesser extent, and they have plus skating skills which makes their games more dynamic. A player like that can more easily make the jump to the NHL game. Guys like Heinen and DeBrusk are good skaters, (not as explosive as some) and also “heady” players. These types of players (IMO) typically need games/time at each stop to adjust and raise their games.

I believe that Heinen has been as good/better than DeBrusk in Camp and last year in PRO, but they have different styles. Perhaps Boston wanted more of a “power forward” like DeBrusk to play on DK’s wing, which is why he got the NHL nod this year? Heinen has a good shot, but unless he starts using it more, I’m not sure he and Krejci would be a great fit?

Regardless, I believe that in order to get the best out of Heinen (and I would put Cehlarik in the same category at this point). They need to be at the NHL level. I think Sweeney knows that as well, but he needs to make some room first. Hope it doesn’t take him too long.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I had the same thought. He did play center for the Eagles in the BCHL before he was drafted but was primarily a wing in college. Still, I'd bet he can do it. He's very smart and his compete level has been outstanding this season. The question is, do they want him there? They seem to get kind of inflexible on where they see players. Clearly, they see Backes as a wing, and that doesn't look like it's going to change. I mean, that would be an easy fix, put Backes in the middle of Agostino and Heinen, but they just don't see Backes as a center for some reason.

So the question of can Heinen play center probably takes a backseat to the question, "Do they see Heinen as a center?" With Czarnik and JFK in Providence and Frederic and Studnicka coming down the pike, my guess is no.

Bill, I was just thinking this same thing.

My personal opinion is that Heinen is capable of playing C at the NHL level. He played there quite a bit in the Denver games I watched, but was with linemates like Moore and Gambrel who who could also play both wing and center and the three of them would be all over the place in games.

I don’t know what exactly the B’s look for in centers, but they seem to have a pretty good idea of what they want. For whatever reason, I think (as you said) they prefer JFK (and down the road Studnicka) to Heinen and others in the pivot. I don’t think it’s all that big a deal and generally speaking, center is a harder position to play. Most guys (Spooner may be an exception) who can play C well, can also be good on the wing.

Going forward it appears that the B’s are going to have several players (Kuraly, Heinen, Donato, Frederic) that are capable of playing center, but that the B’s may want to move to wing. Flexibility is never a bad thing in my book and having wings that can play C is an advantage (particularly with the new FO rules).

 

[GlenFeatherstone]

I had the same thought. He did play center for the Eagles in the BCHL before he was drafted but was primarily a wing in college. Still, I'd bet he can do it. He's very smart and his compete level has been outstanding this season. The question is, do they want him there? They seem to get kind of inflexible on where they see players. Clearly, they see Backes as a wing, and that doesn't look like it's going to change. I mean, that would be an easy fix, put Backes in the middle of Agostino and Heinen, but they just don't see Backes as a center for some reason.

So the question of can Heinen play center probably takes a backseat to the question, "Do they see Heinen as a center?" With Czarnik and JFK in Providence and Frederic and Studnicka coming down the pike, my guess is no.

I really don't know- Joe thinks he can and when it comes to Heinen for those questions he's the guy. Joe would watch his college games just to see him.

After 20 games we will have a 'read' on players, at 40 games quite a bit of information

My early 'read' is I want Heinen playing on the third line full time

Thanks guys. Great insight. I want him up here on the 3rd line as well. I think he can definitely help this team.

 

[DKH]

Everyone has “room for improvement” in their game. The reason I want Heinen up in Boston is because Development is a progression. It appears to me that Heinen has more than adapted to AHL game speed and is dominating offensively and defensively at this point (he was excellent on the PK in PRO this past weekend).

He’s the kind of player that needs time at NHL speed and against NHL talent to acclimate. I think he’s starting to already, and he looked much more confident this year as opposed to last, but the more NHL time he gets, the quicker he will start to produce IMO.

I look at a kid like Pasta, Bjork to a lesser extent, and they have plus skating skills which makes their games more dynamic. A player like that can more easily make the jump to the NHL game. Guys like Heinen and DeBrusk are good skaters, (not as explosive as some) and also “heady” players. These types of players (IMO) typically need games/time at each stop to adjust and raise their games.

I believe that Heinen has been as good/better than DeBrusk in Camp and last year in PRO, but they have different styles. Perhaps Boston wanted more of a “power forward” like DeBrusk to play on DK’s wing, which is why he got the NHL nod this year? Heinen has a good shot, but unless he starts using it more, I’m not sure he and Krejci would be a great fit?

Regardless, I believe that in order to get the best out of Heinen (and I would put Cehlarik in the same category at this point). They need to be at the NHL level. I think Sweeney knows that as well, but he needs to make some room first. Hope it doesn’t take him too long.

the 21st game is the Black Friday day after Thanksgiving Day game against Pittsburgh.

By that day the Bruins hopefully will be 20+ points and have identified who is playing the best and sifted out players

just my early read I see Heinen and Chelarik much better than they were last year- their progression is noticeable

 

[DKH]

good lord, this place never fails bringing the crazy.

The B`s have a 4th round pick who`s progressing/developing nicely and looking more comfortable at both the AHL and NHL level during a short call-up and fans complaining? Get over it. I completely understand he hasn`t made it full time yet (less about his game, more about contracts/waivers IMO), but credit where it`s due, Heinen is/has clearly put the work in to improve under solid coaching and he`s developing in a very positive way.

what a potential insane 2014 draft getting

1 (25) Pastrnak
2 (56)Donato
3 (no third)
4 (116)Heinen
5 (146)Bjork
6 (no sixth)
7 (206) Johansson

the entire staff looks like they did a phenomenal job

the third round pick would have been Viktor Arvidsson to bad they traded it

 

[ODAAT]

what a potential insane 2014 draft getting

1 (25) Pastrnak
2 (56)Donato
3 (no third)
4 (116)Heinen
5 (146)Bjork
6 (no sixth)
7 (206) Johansson

the entire staff looks like they did a phenomenal job

the third round pick would have been Viktor Arvidsson to bad they traded it

Sure appears like some terrific amateur scouting there indeed. Not all will make it of course but I`m not sure about you, but I can`t recall a time in my Bruin fandom where this organization has looked this potentially solid as far as having viable prospects in the system?

As the late Tom Petty said, "The waiting is the hardest part" but things looking good

 

[BruinsNetwork]

I think Heinen is too good offensively for the AHL but he still has a lot of room for improvement of both sides of the puck, and his ability to battle for pucks. He's going to continue to improve in this area even down in providence

That said, he and cehlarik should both be up at some point provides Sweeney makes the right moves so we don't lose any players for nothing like we did with subban

Let go of the "lose a player for nothing" dialogue when it pertains to Subban. I can tell you two things which I was told:

A. Bruins tried to move Subban before he landed on waivers
B. He simply didn't have any significant trade value that outweighed the possibility of him clearing waivers and being able to develop in the AHL. Teams weren't biting on him.

On Heinen:

I can't believe that there are people in here calling a 22 year old, productive, two-way forward a bust. He has yet to even play half an NHL season, let alone a full one. Heinen has the potential of a top-6 forward. For those saying "he hasn't impressed me" or "I haven't seen anything that impresses me" - you should head down to Providence or find a stream to actually watch him play. His vision, IQ, defensive responsibility, and hands are all very impressive. He is playing tremendously in Providence and looks like he is on another level than everyone else.

He came into a 4th line role for a Boston team that was struggling for offense early this season and produced. Heinen doesn't control which underperforming players (Beleskey, Vatrano & Kuraly) get to stay on the roster while he gets sent down to Providence. For the record, even if there was a spot for him, Sweeney is trying to audition as many prospects as he can while they are still waiver exempt. This will make his job easier to make decisions on the players who aren't contributing to the NHL roster.

 

[Mick Riddleton]

I just watched the high lites of the Providence games and Heinen, Czarnik and Szwarz were passing the puck like Kurri, Gretzky. Heinen's passing was amazing, his vision is Savard like. He was also quick, beat a few players on the wall easily and got a breakaway shorthanded goal. He may be the best all around prospect we have now.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Bruins just recalled Heinen, glad he gets another chance.

 

[frickinbobby]

Sure appears like some terrific amateur scouting there indeed. Not all will make it of course but I`m not sure about you, but I can`t recall a time in my Bruin fandom where this organization has looked this potentially solid as far as having viable prospects in the system?

As the late Tom Petty said, "The waiting is the hardest part" but things looking good

that was Gretzky, right? i remember their drafting improving dramatically after he basically took the reins.


(two Gretzky references in 3 posts, referring to different Gretzkys. i like it.)

 

[GloryDaze4877]

that was Gretzky, right? i remember their drafting improving dramatically after he basically took the reins.

Gretzky had a questionable draft record in ARI. Long-time B’s Western scout Dean Malkoc, who was there well before Gretzky was supposedly the guy who was all over Heinen.

 

[frickinbobby]

Gretzky had a questionable draft record in ARI. Long-time B’s Western scout Dean Malkoc, who was there well before Gretzky was supposedly the guy who was all over Heinen.

Fair enough. How about Pasta? I have always just assumed that Gretzky gets credit for that one, which is an all-timer.

 

[DKH]

Fair enough. How about Pasta? I have always just assumed that Gretzky gets credit for that one, which is an all-timer.

he became a person of interest I believe to Sven Svensson or whatever his name - the long time Boston scout who is based in Europe but covers Finland and Sweden and assisted by PJ Axelsson

Don Sweeney was the assistant GM so he made two that I know of week long trips over during around November and later after the New Year

Chiarelli was here worrying about the Boston Bruins which made sense

I do not know if Gretzky saw him on those trips or if Bradley or anyone else went

Svensson and Axelsson were obviously there and Sweeney

The story I got and it was 3 or so years ago was Sweeney supported what the European scouts recommended

I would think the second trip was more than just Sweeney but it did not include Chiarelli and maybe Gretzky did go

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Fair enough. How about Pasta? I have always just assumed that Gretzky gets credit for that one, which is an all-timer.

Pasta was playing in Sweden at that point. I think DKH actually discussed this in the Prospects thread (and addressed it above). I think primary credit always should go to the scouts that ID the kid and pushes for the team to select them. Of course, credit must go to the Dir of Scouting and GM as well for pulling the trigger.

It’s a team effort, with the scouts doing the grunt work and the Dir of Scouting setting the tone. Here is an interesting article about Gretzky and his approach from Fluto (2016):

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bo...ilding-bruins/cVuuIUTrQawhUwk3o8piHM/amp.html

I think Gretzky deserves credit for sure, but I guess I’m a little sour on him for the comments he made about Frederic when he was pressed about the pick. Whether you liked the pick or not (I suspect he may have been overruled, and wasn’t long for the B’s), he should have not made those remarks. I’m glad Frederic wasn’t listening...or maybe he was was?

 

[GloryDaze4877]

So, to get this back on track, where do people hope to see Heinen play tonight?

 

[Mainehockey33]

So, to get this back on track, where do people hope to see Heinen play tonight?

Hopefully on Backes’s wing with Vatrano at LW. I’m not big on Vatrano but he’s better than Beleskey and Agostino. If Cehlarik is in Providence I’d rather give Vatrano more of a shot than either of those two. Could be a solid 3rd line.

 

[frickinbobby]

So, to get this back on track, where do people hope to see Heinen play tonight?

assuming Backes is at center, with Backes and Vatrano. That seems like an above average 3rd line for sure to me, and I'm not even that sold on Heinen from what I saw but the consensus of a smart player with good positioning would be a good fit on that line.

 

[Jean_Jacket41]

Glad he's back. Hopefully, it's for good now.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Hopefully on Backes’s wing with Vatrano at LW. I’m not big on Vatrano but he’s better than Beleskey and Agostino. If Cehlarik is in Providence I’d rather give Vatrano more of a shot than either of those two. Could be a solid 3rd line.

When Krejci is back, I would prefer:

63-37-10
72/83-46-88
74-42-43


I think Heinen and DeBrusk would be good together and it would allow JD to see 3rd line D instead of the top 6 matchups he's getting now. Good for everybody.