Danton Heinen Should Make the Boston Bruins

Frank Vatrano's foot injury opened up a left wing spot in the Boston Bruin's lineup.  After four preseason games, the player to fill the spot seems obvious; Danton Heinen.

Many of the Bruin's prospects are having good training camps this year.  Brandon Carlo, Danton Heinen, Rob O'Gara, and Austin Czarnik have all looked really good.  This is certainly a good sign for the future in Boston, but the Bruins need someone who can play now.  Frank Vatrano was slated to be the second or third line left wing, and with him out, the Bruins need someone to step into that role.  Carlo and O'Gara are defensemen, so obviously they're out.  That leaves only a few viable options.  The Bruins can either go young with Heinen or Czarnik, or go veteran with Peter Mueller or Zac Rinaldo.  Based on what I've seen this preseason, they should go with Danton Heinen.

Danton Heinen has been an absolute star this preseason.  Austin Czarnik has also played very well, but he's a right handed shot and I'd rather see him play center.  It's not his time yet, but he'll be in Boston very soon.  Heinen is the guy to take over for Vatrano.  In his first preseason game, Heinen played over 22 minutes and scored a goal.  He scored again in his second preseason game, while recording a plus 2 rating.  He scored again tonight in his third game and was plus 3.  So to recap, Heinen has played 3 games, he has 3 goals, 0 assists, and is plus 5.  I guess you could say that's pretty good, and that's just the stats.

Numbers aren't everything in hockey, so there's the eyeball test as well.  Heinen has passed that with flying colors too.  He looks extremely good for a 21 year old.  He is defensively responsible and can skate at the NHL level.  Obviously the offensive upside is there as well with 3 goals in 3 games.  This kid seems like the total package, and I think he can become a really solid NHL player.  I know he isn't going to step in as a rookie and be an all-star, but I think he can play well enough to help the team in Vatrano's absence.  He at least deserves a shot.

Based on the preseason so far, Danton Heinen has got to make the Bruins out of training camp.  They need a good player to fill in for Frank Vatrano and Heinen is the guy.  He is a good all around player, and has a bright future ahead of him.  The Bruins have to at least give him 5 games to see what he looks like.  If he sucks, then insert someone else.  I doubt Heinen will suck though.  He has 3 goals and is plus 5 in 3 preseason games, and there is no reason to think he can't at least play competently during the regular season.  I'm not the coach of the Boston Bruins and I don' t make decisions, but the decision seems clear to me.