While Lane Hutson got most of the media attention when it came to Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens]’ rookies, Emil Heineman was no slouch either. The Swedish winger, drafted 43rd overall by the Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers], was acquired in the Tyler Toffoli deal with the Calgary Flames [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames] in February 2022. Although he took some time to reach the NHL, he was worth the wait. In his first full season in the NHL, Heineman showed he is ready to do whatever it takes to help his team win, even if it’s not the most glamorous job. Martin St-Louis put him on the fourth line alongside Jake Evans and Joel Armia, and the 23-year-old took to the job like a fish to water. Canadiens: What Demidov Learned So Far [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-what-demidov-learned-so-far] Canadiens Farm Team Without Two Big Players For Game Three [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-farm-team-without-two-big-players-for-game-three] Canadiens: Is Mailloux On The Market? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-is-mailloux-on-the-market] Unfortunately for the youngster, he suffered a freak injury when he was hit by a car in Utah in early January, which derailed his production in what had been a very respectable offensive season for a fourth-line player. The accident sidelined him until February 22, and once he returned, he could only muster a single point in 21 games, compared to 17 points in the first 41 games. In the end, he scored 10 goals and recorded eight assists in the regular season, totaling 18 points. While his ten goals were most welcome on a team that has struggled for offensive production in the past, it’s not his offensive input that was the most valuable to the Canadiens, but his forechecking abilities. In just 62 games, he landed 173 hits, the fourth most on the team and the highest average per game with 2.79. Heineman utilizes his 6-foot-2, 198-pound frame effectively to land punishing hits and dispossess opponents’ defensemen. He also has the speed necessary to get possession of the puck and feed it to his linemates. Overall, I believe the youngster deserves a B+ for his performances this season. It’s not easy for a European player to adapt to the North American style of play, and Heineman was able to do it flawlessly after just one season in the AHL. His ability to perform with consistency allowed him to beat the likes of Joshua Roy for a spot in the NHL, and he never looked back. After the Canadiens’ elimination in the first round, he was called upon to represent Sweden at the World Championships, where he recorded three points in 10 games and finished the tournament with a plus-2 rating and a bronze medal. Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwo-DfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen], never to miss a story. Follow Karine on X @KarineHains [https://x.com/KarineHains] Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/karinehains.bsky.social] and Threads @karinehains [https://www.threads.net/@karinehains]. Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/] for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.
