I know Heinen has been struggling to put up points, so this next argument sounds counterintuitive but to my eyes, Heinen's addition to the Krejci line is what has them playing at a higher level.
Tell me I'm nuts. Because Honestly, I got the exact same impression when Cehlarik was added to Krejci and Pastrnak. Cehlarik also didn't really produce there, but IMO Krejci and Pasta were infinitely better with Cehlarik than without him. Now I'm seeing the same thing with Krejci and Heinen. DK46 and DeBrusk seem significantly better with Heinen working the walls and give/go's with Krejci.
Here's my theory: Krejci needs one guy on his line who thinks like him. DeBrusk, Pasta they're grab it and go types. Krejci is a give and go type. A board guy, a cycle guy. Lucic, Horton, Nash, Heinen, Cehlarik, hell even Nordstrom, they all play well off the walls, off the cycle and look to advance the puck with passing plays. DeBrusk and Pasta advance the puck by carrying with speed and in the offensive zone they look to create plays by beating guys 1on1. I mean, how else do you explain Krejci and DeBrusk looking better as a line with Nordstrom than with Pastrnak?!?
I bring it up here because they're considering putting Donato on that line. I love that they called Donato up but I was hoping he'd spell Bjork or even play with Bjork. I don't really see Donato as a board guy or a cycle guy but he is smart so we'll find out I suppose.
I also bring it up because if it's true, it should shape who they look to acquire at the deadline. Someone like Mark Stone could be a better fit than someone like Panarin even though Panarin is a more dynamic talent.
Thoughts? Any truth to my theory? Are there any numbers to support the idea that Krejci and DeBrusk are a better line with Heinen even though Heinen isn't scoring?