Free Agent Danton Heinen Signs PTO With Former Team

Ever since his relatively robust rookie season, Danton Heinen's career hasn't quite taken off the way he's hoped. Now, he'll be returning to the scene of his greatest success, as Heinen has signed a PTO with the Boston Bruins.

Really big fan of Heinen and always liked his game despite being on the more neutral side of things. Can play multiple positions, up and down the lineup, while being responsible even against tougher matchups. Heinen could be valuable, cheap depth for this team. #NHLBruins https://t.co/niFnQwAacA

— Bruins Network (@BruinsNetwork) September 5, 2023

The 28-year-old Heinen hopes to turn that professional tryout contract into a return to the Bruins roster out of training camp. 

In his first full year in the NHL, 2017-18, he recorded 16 goals and 31 assists for 47 points for Boston, along with a plus-10. Since then, however, he hasn't even been able to crack the 35-point mark. He did, though, record a career-high 18 goals (with 33 points) with the Pittsburgh Penguins two seasons ago, earning him a $1.1M deal with them last summer. Unfortunately, he disappointed with just 8 goals and 22 points despite getting off to a strong start.  

Now he'll hope to rekindle his past flame with the Bruins, where he recorded 103 points in 220 games in just shy of three full seasons. The B's originally selected Heinen in the 4th round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Overall, he has 70 goals and 106 assists for 176 points  in 413 career NHL games. 

 Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports