Former Boston Bruins Fan Favourite Emerged As A Surprising Top Trade Candidate
The Boston Bruins were fortunate to reunite with forward Danton Heinen last season. He'd earn a contract after being offered a (PTO) and would set a career-high 36 points in 2023-2024. Could someone make an offer for this former Bruins fan favorite soon?
The Boston Bruins were fortunate to get a career year out of forward Danton Heinen, as he scored 17 goals with the Bruins last season.
During free agency, he signed a two-year $4.5 million contract with the Canucks and has been unable to produce at the same clip he did with the Bruins.
He's played 47 games for the Canucks, and has only been able to score 17 points this year.
" They also noted that Canucks added Heinen with the expectation he would be "a quality top-nine winger," but he has since been buried in their bottom six.
While there's been no confirmation that Heinen has been made available to trade, it wouldn't be a ridiculous notion they could shop him.
It looks like Heinen hasn't been able to fit into the Canucks system, and instead of producing like they wanted in Vancouver, he's found himself in the bottom six.
He was another Bruins player who exceeded expectations under Jim Montgomery's system in 2023-2024 and has since fizzled out under Rick Tocchet.
But since we've seen his full potential before, other NHL teams could find a way to utilize him, given he has playoff experience.
While it's doubtful that NHL teams would ever back up the Brinks truck for someone like Heinen, they could sign him as a rental and extend him if he fits in the lineup.
Heinen's current contract pays him $2.25 million AAV and will expire after the 2025-2026 NHL season.
He earned a nomination for the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2024 with the Boston Bruins after fighting his way into a top-six role for the franchise.
"Heinen went from not being in Boston's plans at all in the offseason to becoming an integral, versatile part of this season's team in his second go-round with the B's organization.
Aside from being a solid pro and a valued teammate, that dedication and resilience also makes him an excellent Bruins nominee for this season's Masterton Trophy.»
While he's been down and out this year, he could find a new spot in the NHL and thrive once again.
If the Bruins are going to retool the lineup, could he be one depth piece they could add once again?
