Bruins Linked to Reunion With $4.5M Forward Through Trade

The Boston Bruins have been active this offseason, adding more depth to their roster, but they may not be done.

Boston still could use more help up front as the Bruins look to bolster their offense. NHL insider and analyst Michael DeRosa of The Hockey News links Boston to re-acquiring bottom-six forward Danton Heinen.

“Danton Heinen could be an interesting player for the Bruins to bring back for a third stint… If the Bruins brought back Heinen, he would have the potential to once again be a solid part of their top nine,” DeRosa wrote. “While expecting him to be a permanent answer for the Bruins’ top-six winger problem may be a stretch, he demonstrated during both of his tenures with Boston that he can handle moving up and down the lineup if needed.”

Heinen is entering the final year of his two-year, $4.5 million deal. The 30-year-old could play left wing or center in all situations for the Bruins and add some more forward depth to the lineup.

Heinen also has experience with Boston, as he was drafted by the Bruins in 2014. He played for the Bruins from 2016 to 2020 and again in 2023. But, after playing so well in 2023, he got rewarded with a two-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks, but in the first year of the deal, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Although Heinen is not a top-line player that Boston could use, he would be a valuable depth piece for the team. He recorded 9 goals and 20 assists for 29 points last season.

Heinen Would be a Bounce-Back Candidate for Bruins

If the Bruins do re-acquire Heinen, he’d likely be a third-line player for the team.

The forward can help kill penalties and also add some secondary scoring. Heinen is coming off a down year, so DeRosa believes he’d be a prime bounce-back candidate for the team.

“Furthermore, he would once again offer the Bruins an option to consider for both of their special-team units because of his two-way play,” DeRosa wrote. “Heinen is coming off a bit of a down year, split between the Canucks and the Penguins; however, as he had nine goals, 20 assists, and 29 points in 79 games.

“While this is the case, he also had 17 goals, 19 assists, 36 points, and a plus-16 rating in 74 games with the Bruins just back during the 2023-24 campaign,” DeRosa added. “Thus, he could be a bounce-back candidate to take a chance on, especially when noting that he has had recent and his most success as a Bruin.”

The Bruins also have over $2 million in cap space and plenty of draft picks to make a deal for Heinen happen.

Bruins GM Wanted to Be Harder to Play Against

Boston re-acquiring Heinen also makes sense, as he would fit the role of the team.

The 30-year-old Canadian isn’t afraid to be physical, which is what Boston wants. Bruins’ general manager Don Sweeney said the goal was to be tougher to play against.

“At times last year, even when we had our group, we were an easy out. I can’t stand for that,” Sweeney said. “So we are going to reestablish that.”

The Bruins helped accomplish that by signing the likes of Tanner Jeannot, Mikey Eyssimont, and Sean Kuraly. But Heinen could further help Sweeney’s wish.