Player Discussion Danton Heinen V (re-signed 2 years, $2.8M/yr)

[Fenway]

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[BruinsFanSince94]

Lol at the previous posts in the last thread. Horrid stuff. Danton Heinen is good!

 

[Dr Hook]

Danton is a very good player who is not flashy and won't bring you out of your seat, but one who makes his linemates better wherever they play him. He might never get the highlight reel goal, but whoever he lines up with will benefit from his smart play on and off the puck. I expect him to transition into being on the PK next season, and I would like to see how he looks on the 2nd PP unit also. Hopefully Cassidy will give him the chance. This after he signs his new deal which I expect comes in at 2.5-3 per year for 3 years. I'll be happy to watch him in the spoked B for the next few seasons if not longer.

 

[PlayMakers]

I'm a big Heinen fan. I think he's misunderstood because a lot of fans don't see the subtle things he does that make him such a heady two-way player. He's not on Bergeron's level but he has that kind of game and makes a lot of those Bergeron-esque decisions. I think he'd make a great bumper on the 2nd PP. I think he's going to become a fairly consistent 60 point guy and I think he hits on that next year.

And all of that is why it pains me to say I would consider trading him this summer. I mean, feel free to convince me otherwise, but I just think Johansson is a more dynamic player, and I really believe this lineup needs more physical presence in the middle6.

I know a lot of people don't think hitting matters. I know analytics make that claim, but what's the stat for letting the other team get to a puck first? What's the stat for throwing the puck into the Nzone because you're too rushed to make a good decisions? What's the stat for throwing the puck into the stands because you hear footsteps? What's the stat for wearing the other team down over 7 games? I don't think hitting is the ultimate X-factor. Columbus outhit Boston and we won that series... but it can be a factor and I thought it was in several of STL's wins.

 

[Dr Hook]

I'm a big Heinen fan. I think he's misunderstood because a lot of fans don't see the subtle things he does that make him such a heady two-way player. He's not on Bergeron's level but he has that kind of game and makes a lot of those Bergeron-esque decisions. I think he'd make a great bumper on the 2nd PP. I think he's going to become a fairly consistent 60 point guy and I think he hits on that next year.

And all of that is why it pains me to say I would consider trading him this summer. I mean, feel free to convince me otherwise, but I just think Johansson is a more dynamic player, and I really believe this lineup needs more physical presence in the middle6.

I know a lot of people don't think hitting matters. I know analytics make that claim, but what's the stat for letting the other team get to a puck first? What's the stat for throwing the puck into the Nzone because you're too rushed to make a good decisions? What's the stat for throwing the puck into the stands because you hear footsteps? What's the stat for wearing the other team down over 7 games? I don't think hitting is the ultimate X-factor. Columbus outhit Boston and we won that series... but it can be a factor and I thought it was in several of STL's wins.

I'll give it a shot- Johansson is probably the better player now, but I don't think we'll say that in a year or two. Mojo will command a higher price and want term for his next deal that will take him into his 30s. Maybe that isn't a big issue, but there is also Johansson's injury history which is a bit scary.

I don't disagree a bit of physicality would be nice and you don't get that with Heinen or Johansson. So I would prefer the Bruins look at Heinen as the 2nd line RW for next season and see if they can find a big winger to play with Coyle. Maybe Johansson comes back and Heinen stays also in which case, since I don't think Backes is likely to be a factor for the team next season, the big winger still needs to be found if there is such a player available for the 2nd or 3rd line.

Okay, you have to give to get- who is the FA rugged wing that isn't lost with puck on his stick that we could sign? Micheal Ferland? The UFA group is small, so it would need to be a trade. Brandon Tanev? Would you trade Heinen for either of them?

 

[PlayMakers]

Okay, you have to give to get- who is the FA rugged wing that isn't lost with puck on his stick that we could sign? Micheal Ferland? The UFA group is small, so it would need to be a trade. Brandon Tanev? Would you trade Heinen for either of them?

I considered the age thing, but if they keep the term to under 4 years on Johansson then he's walking at 32. That's not so old. I know Heinen is about to turn 24 and enter his prime years, so I'll concede it's a fair point and a good argument. Still I don't see Heinen ever slicing through defenses the way Johansson did this postseason... and that ability is rare, and expensive.

With regard to your question about swapping Heinen for a Ferland or a Tanev my answer would be yes. I would trade down on points to trade up on snarl. If this was a team that was short on talent I wouldn't make that offer, but if they sign Johansson they'll be going into next year with 8 skilled forwards in their top9 and 3 defensemen who could put up as many points as Heinen did this year.

I also look at this past playoffs and I hear people saying a guy like Anderson didn't do much with 3 points in 10 games but A) Heinen only had 8 points in 24 games so the pace isn't that different and B) I'd take that production if it meant getting a guy who could put a hurt on the other team's best players and create some of those 'uh-oh' moments I mentioned earlier.

 

[Dr Hook]

I considered the age thing, but if they keep the term to under 4 years on Johansson then he's walking at 32. That's not so old. I know Heinen is about to turn 24 and enter his prime years, so I'll concede it's a fair point and a good argument. Still I don't see Heinen ever slicing through defenses the way Johansson did this postseason... and that ability is rare, and expensive.

With regard to your question about swapping Heinen for a Ferland or a Tanev my answer would be yes. I would trade down on points to trade up on snarl. If this was a team that was short on talent I wouldn't make that offer, but if they sign Johansson they'll be going into next year with 8 skilled forwards in their top9 and 3 defensemen who could put up as many points as Heinen did this year.

I also look at this past playoffs and I hear people saying a guy like Anderson didn't do much with 3 points in 10 games but A) Heinen only had 8 points in 24 games so the pace isn't that different and B) I'd take that production if it meant getting a guy who could put a hurt on the other team's best players and create some of those 'uh-oh' moments I mentioned earlier.

Fair enough I can certainly see the logic in moving him for some size and grit if management feels they need to go that way, and I thinkvHeinen is a player that any number of teams would love to have. I'd hate to see him go, though. I think if he goes, in a couple of years we regret it in a big way, especially once the core is winding down.

 

[PlayMakers]

Fair enough I can certainly see the logic in moving him for some size and grit if management feels they need to go that way, and I thinkvHeinen is a player that any number of teams would love to have. I'd hate to see him go, though. I think if he goes, in a couple of years we regret it in a big way, especially once the core is winding down.

I'm sure we'll hear all next year how he has more points than the guy that replaced him. I don't think it'll be Wheeler level regret though. Maybe Reilly Smith-level.

 

[TaroTsujimoto]

I was disappointed by Heinen's inability to light the lamp during these playoffs. Just two goals, and one of them was an absolute gift. I think he needs to battle harder in front of the other team's net. Other than that, he played well.

 

[Colt.45Orr]

I like Heinen better than most people --but not at the level of his biggest supporters-- I just feel that it's OK to expect a non-physical/ non-gritty guy to score much more often than he has.

I mean, if that is what his production level is going to be, I'd rather shop for a guy with similar production (maybe not quite as much hockey IQ) but who also dings up the St Louis defense from game one on...


On the flip side, I'm not sure we have seen his best. Either way, I'd shop him and see what other teams may offer.

 

[NDiesel]

Johansson played his way out of Boston IMO. As much as I would like him to return, he’s going to get an offer too rich for Boston’s blood.

Is there some reason why the B’s wouldn’t want to add a player with some “jam” to go WITH Coyle and Heinen on that 3rd line (instead of dealing 43 and having two holes to fill)?? I have no idea if he’s available, but I would target a guy like Miles Wood.

Quoting this from the last thread.

In my perfect world I suppose we keep Johansson on the 3rd line and add the jam to go with him and Coyle. Maybe they entertain a trade with Heinen and Woods, but production and team need wise I prefer to target Virtanen. We need RW and right handed players way more than LW (maybe Woods plays both).

Now if we cannot keep Johansson then I'm fine with keeping Heinen, but still think we will need to add some "jam" to that line or the top 6.

A lot of my posts in the previous thread were a bit of a kneejerk reaction after the loss. I like Heinen, I just expected a lot more from him this postseason than just doing all the little things right. It obviously could be worse - he could not produce AND play like shit all around - but I just think he could've been better.

 

[Ratty]

If Jojo turns out to be too expensive I’d replace him with Anders Bjork, still on his ELC. Then move Heinen for a bigger RW for Coyle’s line. Virtanen, as suggested, could be a good fit. That would be a trade of players yet to achieve their potential.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

If Jojo turns out to be too expensive I’d replace him with Anders Bjork, still on his ELC. Then move Heinen for a bigger RW for Coyle’s line. Virtanen, as suggested, could be a good fit. That would be a trade of players yet to achieve their potential.

So your plan is to replace Johansson with a player who has yet to play a full season because he can't stay healthy. Then you want to move Heinen for a lesser player. Sounds awful. I feel for Coyle next season if his two linemates are Bjork and Virtanen.

Only one of those players hasn't achieved their potential, and that's Virtanen. Heinen was a 4th round pick who's developed into a good two-way forward who has produced at a 0.50 PPG pace in his career (162 games). Virtanen has produced at the rate of a 4th liner. This seems to be a major problem with people who are so quick to move Heinen out. They act like he was some high end draft pick with big expectations.

Virtanen is the quintessential "Grass is greener" trade target for Bruins fans.

 

[ODAAT]

massive Heinen fan BUT I also don`t veto a trade for a bonafide and established top 6 winger because the opponent wants Heinen included.

It`s well established that I`m one of those who has lots of time for players who look after the small details we don`t always see and Heinen is one of them. He had an offensively tough season for the most part, I look for Heinen to come outta the gates much better next season if he`s still a Bruin which I hope he is and have a far more consistent season

 

[Gordoff]

If Jojo turns out to be too expensive I’d replace him with Anders Bjork, still on his ELC. Then move Heinen for a bigger RW for Coyle’s line. Virtanen, as suggested, could be a good fit. That would be a trade of players yet to achieve their potential.

Don't mean to derail the conversation from Heinen but:
I've got the gut feeling (for a few reasons) that Bjork will never reach his potential in the NHL. One of which is that he can't seem to stay healthy (uninjured) and that IMO he seemed like a bit too fragile for the big league game in the ones he played in. Another is his awareness of where the puck is on his stick etc. Skating with his head down too many times and IMO he's similar to Heinen without the on ice awareness, but way more brittle. I think that he's been passed by and will continue to get passed by other prospects.
Definitely need more size, Bjork isn't that.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

Don't mean to derail the conversation from Heinen but:
I've got the gut feeling (for a few reasons) that Bjork will never reach his potential in the NHL. One of which is that he can't seem to stay healthy (uninjured) and that IMO he seemed like a bit too fragile for the big league game in the ones he played in. I think that he's been passed by and will continue to get passed by other prospects.

He seems to get nailed a lot,when you’re a fairy small guy you need to be a little more slippery out there,he kind of scares me I literally think he is going to get killed almost every time he is on the ice.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

One is a Top 10 pick that has underachieved from the start. The other is a 4th round pick that was one of the steals of his draft year.

Virtanen has a “breakout” year (supposedly) by netting 15g/10a in 14:49 TOI...while Heinen’s “down” year was 11g/23a in a minute less TOI per game.

And people can’t wait to make that deal?



What is wrong with people?

Virtanen is a younger version of Chris Wagner...that has about 100 less hits.

I would love to see a Virtanen/Woods type with Coyle and Heinen, not replacing him.

 

[Beesfan]

I'm a big Heinen fan. I think he's misunderstood because a lot of fans don't see the subtle things he does that make him such a heady two-way player. He's not on Bergeron's level but he has that kind of game and makes a lot of those Bergeron-esque decisions. I think he'd make a great bumper on the 2nd PP. I think he's going to become a fairly consistent 60 point guy and I think he hits on that next year.

And all of that is why it pains me to say I would consider trading him this summer. I mean, feel free to convince me otherwise, but I just think Johansson is a more dynamic player, and I really believe this lineup needs more physical presence in the middle6.

I know a lot of people don't think hitting matters. I know analytics make that claim, but what's the stat for letting the other team get to a puck first? What's the stat for throwing the puck into the Nzone because you're too rushed to make a good decisions? What's the stat for throwing the puck into the stands because you hear footsteps? What's the stat for wearing the other team down over 7 games? I don't think hitting is the ultimate X-factor. Columbus outhit Boston and we won that series... but it can be a factor and I thought it was in several of STL's wins.

No, no, no. Don't be fooled by the year Danton had, he has huge offensive upside. So many great players get hit with the sophomore slump, and he is such a good two-way player he managed to be effective through it. Heinen's style reminds me of the Sedins, and his stats up to this point are similar. The Sedins broke out at age 25, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Heinen hit the 60+ point mark this coming year or the one after.

 

[Mainehockey33]

I’d be fine with him coming back, but I hope they start him on Bergeron’s line in camp. I think he has more offensive upside and we caught glimpses of it when he was with Bergeron and Marchand.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I'm a big Heinen fan. I think he's misunderstood because a lot of fans don't see the subtle things he does that make him such a heady two-way player. He's not on Bergeron's level but he has that kind of game and makes a lot of those Bergeron-esque decisions. I think he'd make a great bumper on the 2nd PP. I think he's going to become a fairly consistent 60 point guy and I think he hits on that next year.

And all of that is why it pains me to say I would consider trading him this summer. I mean, feel free to convince me otherwise, but I just think Johansson is a more dynamic player, and I really believe this lineup needs more physical presence in the middle6.

I know a lot of people don't think hitting matters. I know analytics make that claim, but what's the stat for letting the other team get to a puck first? What's the stat for throwing the puck into the Nzone because you're too rushed to make a good decisions? What's the stat for throwing the puck into the stands because you hear footsteps? What's the stat for wearing the other team down over 7 games? I don't think hitting is the ultimate X-factor. Columbus outhit Boston and we won that series... but it can be a factor and I thought it was in several of STL's wins.

I considered the age thing, but if they keep the term to under 4 years on Johansson then he's walking at 32. That's not so old. I know Heinen is about to turn 24 and enter his prime years, so I'll concede it's a fair point and a good argument. Still I don't see Heinen ever slicing through defenses the way Johansson did this postseason... and that ability is rare, and expensive.

With regard to your question about swapping Heinen for a Ferland or a Tanev my answer would be yes. I would trade down on points to trade up on snarl. If this was a team that was short on talent I wouldn't make that offer, but if they sign Johansson they'll be going into next year with 8 skilled forwards in their top9 and 3 defensemen who could put up as many points as Heinen did this year.

I also look at this past playoffs and I hear people saying a guy like Anderson didn't do much with 3 points in 10 games but A) Heinen only had 8 points in 24 games so the pace isn't that different and B) I'd take that production if it meant getting a guy who could put a hurt on the other team's best players and create some of those 'uh-oh' moments I mentioned earlier.

I wanted to respond to this earlier, but didn’t get around to it until now.

I agree with most of the things you say when discussing Heinen in your first post and why he gets under appreciated here. Obviously, I am a big Heinen guy, but even I am not sure he becomes a consistent 60 point guy (would love it if he did).

Now, on to the stuff I disagree with, lol. If you honestly believe that Heinen is going to be a 60 pt guy (your words not mine)...why the f*** would you be moving him in order to add a Tanev or Ferland type?

If you think you could sign Heinen for 2-4 years, come in under/near $3m AAV and get 60 points out of him consistently, you would be absolutely insane to deal him so that could add a Johansson or Ferland, when that will cost you $5m +, or say a Tanev for $3m plus. Given the age disparities of the players, it would be an even worse idea for the B’s.

Also, where has this idea come from that in order to add a more physical presence, Heinen (and his sub $3m salary) is what needs to be sacrificed? As I said previously, I think Mojo has priced himself out of Boston. Even if that’s not the case, the contract that needs to be moved is Backes, not Heinen’s.

If the B’s can jettison Backes’ and Miller’s contracts, and place Moore on LTIR to start the season...they can sign Heinen for $2.50m, Carlo for $4.5m, Mojo for $5.25m, McAvoy for $6m...and still have $5.7m in Cap space left to extend Krug or add a player.

The lineup would be:

63-37-43/88
74-46-88/43
90-13-83 (or FA)
20-52-14
83/Blidh

33-73
47-25
48-75
Vaak
Moore (LTIR)

 

[PlayMakers]

Now, on to the stuff I disagree with, lol. If you honestly believe that Heinen is going to be a 60 pt guy (your words not mine)...why the f*** would you be moving him in order to add a Tanev or Ferland type?

When I said I think Heinen could put up 60 points, I didn't mean with us. They just don't use him enough. Among the regulars, only Acciari played less (4 seconds less) than Heinen in the playoffs. If he played with Marchand and Bergeron full time, if he was the bumper on the 2nd PP... then I think he could do it. But the way we use him, and for what he brings in that role, I think someone with snarl would be more valuable. I think a guy like Anderson or Ferland if healthy, would have helped more in the playoffs than Heinen. Going forward, I would trade down 10-15 points in order to add 150 hits.

We have a history of moving guys because we like other players better. They moved Vatrano without finding out what he could do. They let Smith go because they liked other guys better. I think they're going to do the same thing with Heinen, and I see him going somewhere else, getting top6 minutes and PP time and producing.

Also, where has this idea come from that in order to add a more physical presence, Heinen (and his sub $3m salary) is what needs to be sacrificed?

I can't speak for anyone else, but I came to that opinion after looking at a series of factors...

1) I really want to keep Johansson. He was such a force in the playoffs, and he's such a dynamic player. I think he's worth investing $5m in if they can keep the term to 4 years or less.
2) I think DeBrusk plays better with speed on the opposite wing. He had some chemistry with Kuhlman and I think he could fit well with Bjork too. I also think it's important to have some young legs and ELC's in the lineup.
3) It is VERY hard to find a RW that works well with 74-46. They've tried heavy guys, they've tried high-skill guys and it's always a tough fit. I know Heinen is better than Kuhlman or Bjork at the moment, but I don't think Heinen is a better fit with DeBrusk. Heinen worked well with Mojo and Coyle, but if Kuhlman plays with DeBrusk and Heinen plays with Mojo then we're back to not having any room to add a RW'er.
4) Johansson, DeBrusk, Kuhlman: that's 3 of the 4 middle6 wing slots and we've yet to add some size and snarl.
5) Lastly, Heinen is a guy who I think would have a lot of value, especially if someone sees him like we do. If they strike out in free agency, then he could be a good chip to dangle.

The lineup I'd like to see is...

63 -37 - 88
90 - 46 - RW
74 - 13 - 83

Fwiw, if you're right, and they can't afford Mojo, then of course I'd want to keep Heinen. I'd even lobby for the same lineup, but with Heinen in place of Mojo. He's not as dynamic as 90 but I think Heinen and Krejci would have a better chance of gelling with a new RW than DeBrusk and Krejci.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

One is a Top 10 pick that has underachieved from the start. The other is a 4th round pick that was one of the steals of his draft year.

Virtanen has a “breakout” year (supposedly) by netting 15g/10a in 14:49 TOI...while Heinen’s “down” year was 11g/23a in a minute less TOI per game.

And people can’t wait to make that deal?



What is wrong with people?

Virtanen is a younger version of Chris Wagner...that has about 100 less hits.

I would love to see a Virtanen/Woods type with Coyle and Heinen, not replacing him.

Virtanen is a 6th overall pick and is only 22. Younger Chris Wagner? Wagner just had a career year with 19 points at 28 years old. Virtanen's rookie year at 18 was better than any year from Wagner prior to this season. Like come on, this is not a reasonable comparison at all. Look I get that some of the people wanting to trade Heinen are completely irrational & their criticism of him isn't based on reality, but making irrational arguments in response just makes this whole board a shit-show. Comparing Virtanen to Wagner is not a good faith argument.

As for the Heinen/Virtanen debate, why is it so hard to fathom that a Heinen for Virtanen swap could help the Bruins in the right circumstances? We're not talking about trading Pastrnak for Zac Rinaldo or something. We're talking about trading a guy who just had 77-11-23 season at 23 for a guy who had a 70-15-10 season at 22. It's a 9 point difference to get a guy who is 226 lbs, has a nose for the net, & is hopefully built a little better for the playoffs than Heinen who just finished a run to game 7 of the finals with 2 goals & on a 27 point pace over 82 games. I fully recognize that it's a slight offensive dropoff while recognizing that I can live with that knowing that the Bruins are likely a playoff team either way, but I believe Virtanen can help them more in the playoffs than Heinen. And at this point, maybe it's the recency of the cup finals, but I'm not all that interested in hearing arguments centered around regular season numbers. We just watched out first line underachieve after career years for all 3 guys. We just saw guys like Kuraly & Nordstrom massively outpace their typical regular season numbers during this playoff run. The Bruins already have the horses offensively to regularly make the playoffs & contend. Now I'm interested in them finding the right spare parts to finish off a long playoff run & I happen to believe a guy like Virtanen can help them do that better than a guy like Heinen. I really don't think it's as unreasonable suggestion as you make it out to be.

Now all of this is contingent on who else is in the lineup. I wouldn't want to let Jojo walk only to trade Heinen for Virtanen & then put another "banger" on that line. I think Virtanen would be an upgrade IF the other two guys on that line were still Jojo & Coyle. If Johansson walks then I'm fine with keeping Heinen if they put the right guy on the other side. But I don't like the idea of going into another season with the brutally inconsistent Heinen on a line with Coyle & a total unknown coming out of Providence. Personally I really hope they can figure out a way to keep Johansson because his chemistry with Coyle was off the charts. If they can keep him then I'd want to see Heinen traded because I think his style just isn't cut out for the playoffs.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

When I said I think Heinen could put up 60 points, I didn't mean with us. They just don't use him enough. Among the regulars, only Acciari played less (4 seconds less) than Heinen in the playoffs. If he played with Marchand and Bergeron full time, if he was the bumper on the 2nd PP... then I think he could do it. But the way we use him, and for what he brings in that role, I think someone with snarl would be more valuable. I think a guy like Anderson or Ferland if healthy, would have helped more in the playoffs than Heinen. Going forward, I would trade down 10-15 points in order to add 150 hits.

We have a history of moving guys because we like other players better. They moved Vatrano without finding out what he could do. They let Smith go because they liked other guys better. I think they're going to do the same thing with Heinen, and I see him going somewhere else, getting top6 minutes and PP time and producing.



I can't speak for anyone else, but I came to that opinion after looking at a series of factors...

1) I really want to keep Johansson. He was such a force in the playoffs, and he's such a dynamic player. I think he's worth investing $5m in if they can keep the term to 4 years or less.
2) I think DeBrusk plays better with speed on the opposite wing. He had some chemistry with Kuhlman and I think he could fit well with Bjork too. I also think it's important to have some young legs and ELC's in the lineup.
3) It is VERY hard to find a RW that works well with 74-46. They've tried heavy guys, they've tried high-skill guys and it's always a tough fit. I know Heinen is better than Kuhlman or Bjork at the moment, but I don't think Heinen is a better fit with DeBrusk. Heinen worked well with Mojo and Coyle, but if Kuhlman plays with DeBrusk and Heinen plays with Mojo then we're back to not having any room to add a RW'er.
4) Johansson, DeBrusk, Kuhlman: that's 3 of the 4 middle6 wing slots and we've yet to add some size and snarl.
5) Lastly, Heinen is a guy who I think would have a lot of value, especially if someone sees him like we do. If they strike out in free agency, then he could be a good chip to dangle.

The lineup I'd like to see is...

63 -37 - 88
90 - 46 - RW
74 - 13 - 83

Fwiw, if you're right, and they can't afford Mojo, then of course I'd want to keep Heinen. I'd even lobby for the same lineup, but with Heinen in place of Mojo. He's not as dynamic as 90 but I think Heinen and Krejci would have a better chance of gelling with a new RW than DeBrusk and Krejci.

agree with a lot of this. I think 74 & 46 need to be split up because both guys are just so damn streaky & when both guys hit a cold streak at the same time it can literally cost you a series.

I like Heinen & have said throughout this thread & the ones before it that he does a ton of little things really well, but I can't see him being a 60 point guy with us (and probably not with another team tbh) so that argument is moot. And I DO see him as a guy who will put up worse numbers in the playoffs than regular season without fail because I think the extra intensity & speed of playoff hockey kind of exposes & amplifies his shortcomings.

 

[JAD]

Heinen has only played 2 years 162 regular season games, then maybe another 20 - 25 playoffs, maybe another 10 - 15 preseason games . . . So right around 200 games in the NHL. As has been said he does a number of little things well, things that can't be taught it just instinct. He is only beginning to get acquainted with the league, different cities, opponents, and what it takes to be successful at this level. Give him another two years and I believe you will see a much more confident and consistent well rounded two way winger. He's not the type of developing player a team gives up on.

 

[YouTakeTheVan]

Heinen is a complementary player so I agree the idea of balancing the lines is important. But the lines coming out of training camp may not be the ones you see in the playoffs, and Heinen can play any wing on any line -- that versatility has value.

But I would disagree with the diagnosis that the "missing piece" is a stronger wing. We're built on D & Center, lost two games with D injuries and the #1C was not close enough to 100% and outplayed by his counterpart. Plug Backes or whoever into the top 6 and survive. Lose one of the top 3 centers for a game and good night.

Fun fact -- Points/game at even strength:

Heinen (2 full seasons): 0.40
Johansson (prime years age 24-28): 0.42
Ferland (prime 24-26): 0.37