The puck took a fortunate bounce for Danton Heinen.
During the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season finale on April 17, the winger was killing a penalty when Capitals star Alex Ovechkin fired a blind wrister from the left point. Heinen, applying pressure, got a piece of the shot. The puck deflected off Andrew Mangiapane’s stick and caromed into the neutral zone.
Recognizing the opportunity instantly, Heinen pounced. Racing after the loose puck, he created his own breakaway. As he approached the hashmarks in Washington’s zone, Heinen unleashed a wrister that beat goaltender Clay Stevenson’s blocker, helping secure a 5-2 victory.
“Just penalty killing, kind of had it on the run,” Heinen explained afterward. “I just tried to make a play. Lucky enough, it ended up on my stick.”
It was a fitting conclusion to Heinen’s season—a rare bright moment in what had otherwise been a challenging campaign.
Split between Vancouver and Pittsburgh, Heinen’s 2024-25 statistics tell the story: 79 games played with just 29 points (9 goals, 20 assists) while averaging 13:27 of ice time. After being reacquired by the Penguins in a February 1 trade, his production remained modest—11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) across 28 games.
“It was ups and downs,” Heinen admitted. “A little bit of a whirlwind this year. Different stuff going on. The trade. Just a little bit of a roller coaster.”
The 29-year-old has demonstrated greater capability in previous seasons. During his first Penguins stint (2021-22), he notched a career-best 18 goals while helping the team weather injuries to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Last season with Boston, he spent significant time on the Bruins’ top line, scoring 17 goals in 74 games.
Yet after signing a two-year, $2.25 million contract with his hometown Canucks in the 2024 offseason, Heinen struggled to replicate that production.
While vague about specific challenges, he acknowledged something wasn’t right. “I didn’t feel great physically. I know I can be a lot better. That’s something that I want to be next year.”
Despite the underwhelming season, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan sees value in Heinen’s versatility.
“He’s probably not a top-six forward, but he has the offensive instincts to play in the top six,” Sullivan explained. “Those types of players are invaluable. I think he’s a very good third-line player who brings an element of offense and a conscientious game, but has the ability to play up the lineup if necessary through injury. Those types of players, in my mind, are invaluable.”
About The Author
