The Pittsburgh Penguins waived Kasperi Kapanen opening the door for Danton Heinen to return to the lineup.
When the Pittsburgh Penguins placed Kasperi Kapanen on waivers, it all but assured that Danton Heinen would make his return to the lineup.
Heinen has been healthy scratched for almost a month straight, but the Penguins are set to give him another shot in the 2022-23 season.
In 42 games Heinen has played this season, he has scored five goals and 10 assists for 15 points; 34 game separated his third and fourth goals of the season.
Many Penguins players and coaches have praised Heinen’s wicked shot this year, but he hasn’t had much chance to utilize it.
According to head coach Mike Sullivan, despite not getting the ability to play over the last month, Heinen remained professional and understood his position.
“I think he’s done a terrific job, he’s a really good pro,” Sullivan said. “It’s not an easy circumstance when players are in those types of situations.”
Prior to his most recent stint as a healthy scratch, Heinen played in a handful of games and made the most of his opportunity.
Heinen played the last five games heading into the All-Star break and recorded four points (2G-2).
Three of those points came in the same game, but he still showed flashes of his worth.
“He has a great attitude, he works hard, he comes to the rink every day and controls what he can,” Sullivan said. “He tries to help our team in any way that he can.”
Last season, Heinen was one of the best depth options in the Penguins lineup, despite eating a few healthy scratches.
In 76 gams played, he scored 18 goals and 15 assists for 33 points; that production earned him a one-year contract extension in Pittsburgh.
Things just haven’t been the same this year, and that goes for much of the lineup, but Heinen is another highlight of the downfall.
Given Heinen’s return to the lineup is only happening thanks to the waiving of Kapanen, and the comments made by Ron Hextall regarding multiple AHL players, this is likely Heinen’s final chance in Pittsburgh.
He’ll need to make the most of it in the likely small sample size he’ll be given.
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