Nailed it. This has classic sophomore slump written all over it. If the bruins are trading this guy I hope it's for something more than a schenn or a coyle.
With all due respect, that is not true. Here's his three season numbers (1st just a few games, 2nd split into pre and post AS break, and 3rd to date):
-- '17/'18: 8 games. 0G/0A/0 Total.
Not worth considering. Young player getting his first taste of big leagues.
-- '18/'19 Pre AS Break: 43 games. 11G/22A/33 Total. Projects to a 63 point season.
Excellent. Why we all got so excited.
-- '18/'19 Post AS Break: 34 games. 5G/9A/14 Total. Projects to 34 point season.
Not bad at all. Maybe hitting wall a bit.
-- '19 playoffs: 9 games. 1G/0A/1 Total.
Not good but first playoffs are learning curve, and maybe rookie has really hit wall.
-- '19/'20 Pre AS Break: 40 Games. 4G/6A/10 Total. Projects to 21 point season.
Nothing special and now definitely trending in wrong direction.
And let's face it, he was a non factor in the playoffs. Again, that's not a sleight on a rookie, but so far his play this season does nothing to suggest that he'll be any factor this season if he dresses.
I don't want to project bad things, but Heinen is beginning to appear as a player who caught fire in a bottle but is settling down into a Riley Nash type player. Don't get me wrong, Riley Nash's of the League serve a purpose but they are not the type of player to lose sleep over.
My guess is Cassidy's concern (using those video clips we've been discussing) is that Riley Nash would have made Ristoleinen a little more uncomfortable. And if the reasoning is that Heinen doesn't have speed to make a more purposeful play there, that's not a selling point as a player.
He seems like a nice kid, but he needs to do something to be more of a clear factor beyond good defensive positioning. If we had two plus lines that poured in 5 on 5 goals steadily maybe that would be ok. But we don't -- so defensively responsible but offensively anaemic play is of limited use.
It may not be in his "personality" or comfort level, but if I'm head coach I'm looking for some intensity. If I'm GM, I'm not overly worried about trading him.