BRIGHTON, Mass. -- It certainly hasn’t been a stellar early start for Danton Heinen in his second go-round through the NHL. It’s only four games into the new season, of course, but the 23-year-old Heinen has zero points and just two shots on net so far this season for the Black and Gold.
That’s a far cry from last year when Heinen played so well in training camp and during the early season that he forced his way into the Bruins plans, and then went on to post 16 goals and 47 points in 77 games mostly played on the third line. This season the offense hasn’t been there as of yet, Heinen has looked tentative at times and even worse he’s taken minor penalties in each of the last three games as well.
Certainly Heinen hasn’t really had the puck on his stick all that much in the early going, and the shift-to-shift competitiveness hasn’t been there as much as it was for the duration of last season. In hockey parlance, Heinen is currently searching for his game after the first week of the season.
MORE BRUINS COVERAGE
- Too early for goalie debate, but Halak doing his part
- Pastrnak shows NHL star power in starting down McDavid
- SEE IT: Pastrnak's incredible goal vs. Oilers
“I’d say it’s apt that he’s fighting it. And another penalty [against the Oilers]. In general when Danton had tough stretches last year he was still usually very reliable, and you could count on him to bring his ‘B’ game defensively and not hurt you,” said Cassidy. “Right now he’s taking a lot of stick fouls between the preseason and now. That’s the first thing that we need to correct.
“It’s him starting to dig in and getting under people rather than going over top with one hand on the stick. That’s where it starts. Some of it is being a little more forceful in situations and going under sticks rather than going over top. That’s part of the conversation with him, and hopefully it takes root soon. He’s a good player and we’ve got to get him back to playing well.”
Boston Bruins
Heinen was certainly under no illusions about his game, and knows that there needs to be some rapid improvement after a slow start. It hasn’t exactly been easy when he started the season on David Krejci’s right wing, and then found himself down on the third line after the disastrous opening night loss to the Capitals. But the second-year winger is also well aware that it’s just four games into the new season, and there’s still ample time to turn things around after a rough patch.
“Obviously it isn’t the start I wanted, but you can’t worry about the past, just look forward and keep working hard,” said Heinen. “I just need to find my confidence. It’s just kind of a here and there kind of thing. Just be more confident with the puck and believe in myself a little more out there rather than just trying not to make mistakes. Yeah. I think that’s it.
“It’s a tough league, and everybody has their ups and downs. Unfortunately I’m trying to find my game right now, but I’m not worried. I just need to keep working hard. You’ve just got to try and contribute in multiple different ways if you’re not scoring. And the team is winning, so there are positives there.”
It’s good that Heinen can still find the positives and he’s nowhere close to panic mode after a quiet start to the regular season. It will be a lot better if he can start ramping up the offense and be the same effective two-way winger that had one of the best rookie seasons in the NHL last year.