Heinen among young Bruins showing AHL stays are needed for development, not punishment

As a veteran of 385 NHL and 309 AHL games, NESN analyst Andy Brickley knows exactly what it takes to play at each level of pro hockey.

No doubt the landscape has changed since his playing days, but Brickley knows the mindset of those who succeed living between the two vastly different worlds of the NHL and AHL remains the same: I don’t belong here.

“If you don’t think that way, you’ll be an American League player forever,” Brickley said. “It’s really that simple. If you accept (the organization’s) evaluation of you that, ‘We’re going to send you down because you’re not good enough to be here in the NHL,’ if you go down there and accept that, you’ve got no chance.

“You have to go down there and say, ‘No. I’m better than this. I’m better than the American League. I belong in the NHL and I have to make the most of my chance.’ That’s the attitude you have to have. The best players, whether they’re coming from junior, or college, or wherever they’re coming from, if they have that (mindset) they’re going to make it.”

Danton Heinen is a perfect example.

The 22-year-old forward was one of the last players cut at the end of the preseason and sent to Providence. Prior to training camp, upper management and coach Bruce Cassidy had Heinen penciled in as a possible winger on the line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Heinen never got that chance because fellow rookie Anders Bjork quickly won that job and has performed well so far.

When Heinen was sent to Providence, he accepted the assignment and proved why he didn’t belong there. He posted one goal and seven assists for eight points in four games, including a plus-5 rating.

“Danton has had an excellent attitude from start to finish,” said P-Bruins coach Jay Leach. “He has gone through ups and downs but has consistently come to work every day honing his craft. And, he will continue to. He’s a true pro.”

The NHL has become younger, specifically because of the salary-cap era. Younger, more talented players are getting more responsibility every game on every team in the league. The Pittsburgh Penguins have won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with an influx of youth in prominent positions in the lineup.

The Bruins have shown they’re not afraid of using younger players too. From a logistical standpoint, it helps that the minor league affiliate is less than an hour away, so recalling a player can be an easy decision when needed.

With David Krejci sidelined due to a back injury, and Matt Beleskey fighting to stay in the lineup due to inconsistency, it was an opportunity for the Bruins to recall Heinen for the second time this season.

“If a young deserves to play over a guy that might be a little more established, you’re trying to put your best lineup together,” Cassidy said. “You’re still trying to work with the framework of the guys that are here, obviously, and get them to where they need to be, but basically where we’re going as an organization is we’re incorporating youth. We’re not afraid of it and we’re not alone (with that philosophy) in the NHL. Teams are not afraid of youth as much as they were in the past.”

Heinen joined the team on the first road trip of the season and played extremely well, posting three assists in three games. But, he was assigned to Providence. On Thursday, he scored his first two goals of his NHL career and helped the Bruins to a 2-1 win over the San Jose Sharks.

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“I would love to say I knew (the goals) were coming and we penciled him in for that reason, but he played well here and we talked about that,” Cassidy said. “He went down (to Providence) and worked hard on his game, got some more points and played well. He’s realizing his (bottom six) role and he’s accepting it and it hasn’t affected his offense.”

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This isn’t only an analysis of Heinen’s game, but of the organizational depth. As the organization continues its rebuilding process, there's an abundance of players who could fill numerous roles and Heinen was the latest to earn that opportunity.

The AHL is so important for the development of young talent and it’s never been so crucial for the Bruins as it is right now. The organizational depth is the deepest it’s been in years and it has created an internal competition that only bodes well for the Bruins.

“At that level, especially as any other, the players have to have a sense that there is healthy internal competition, not just against our opponents, but within the group for opportunities to get called up,” said John Ferguson, executive director of player personnel for the Bruins. “They are competing against each other for the next look up top here.

“Some underestimate how tough it is to do well down (in the AHL) but we certainly credit those who have that sense and go and prove it.”

Heinen has been that type of player. In the past, there have been countless players who haven’t accepted the assignment to the AHL and thought of it more as a demotion rather than an opportunity to develop and hone those skills as a pro. This core group of prospects for the Bruins realizes that path and so far has accepted it.

It comes down to character. It’s possible that other rookies will need more development in the AHL. Bjork and Jake DeBrusk have both performed well but the ebbs and flows of an NHL season for a rookie could take its toll. DeBrusk was impressive in his development last season in Providence and he’s been solid so far this season, but if he starts to waiver a bit, another stint with the P-Bruins won’t hurt.

The same could be said for Bjork, who’s fresh out of college, but his transition has been relatively smooth to this point. The list of players that have the potential to contribute this season for the Bruins is an impressive one. It will come down to those who accept the development path, and those who take it for granted.

The landscape has changed. The AHL is no longer a league of has-beens and never-wills. It’s a league of who’s next, and the Bruins have plenty in the talent pool to dip into. As long as their young players continue to use the AHL for development and not punishment, and share that needed I don't belong here attitude — like Heinen has — their kids are going to be OK.