Bruins bring in more depth as Danton Heinen returns on PTO

You want more depth options? Ask and you shall receive. 

As captain's practices begin and training camp looms, the Bruins are continuing to evaluate their options, especially up front in the depths of the forward group.

Boston announced Tuesday afternoon that old friend Danton Heinen is returning on a professional tryout (PTO). 

The left-winger spent the first four years of his NHL career with the B's, putting up 103 points (34g, 69a) in 220 games with the Black and Gold. He set a career-high for points with 47 (16g, 31a) as a rookie in 77 games during his first full season in 2017-18.

Between Boston, Anaheim and Pittsburgh, the 28-year-old has 176 points (70g, 106a) in 413 contests. 

In 2022-23 with the Pens, Heinen had 22 points (8g, 14a) in 65 games after posting a career-high 18 goals (33 points) in 76 contests in 2021-22. 

BSJ Analysis...

Last season in Pittsburgh was basically a microcosm of Heinen's career so far: an effective, responsible player who can contribute in the bottom six, but can often go ice-cold for stretches – he had a 34-game goalless drought from Oct. 22 through Jan. 24. His finishing tanked last year, coming off what was a pretty encouraging season. His shooting percentage plummeted from 13 percent to 8.33, the second-lowest of his career.  If you remove last season, he's a career 10.7 percent shooter. 

You'll never notice him for the wrong reasons, even if he's not very physical or when he's not scoring. Safe, versatile and low-event player.

Nevertheless, he remains the analytical darling who was a lightning rod among Bruins fans during his first go around in the Spoked-B. 

He ranked in the 71st percentile for WAR, per JFresh. He also finished in the 75th percentile for even-strength offense, 72nd for even-strength defense and 70th for G/60. But his finishing was in the 51st percentile and his chances were in the 49th. 

Still, Heinen actually managed to rank eighth among Penguins forwards in both individual scoring chances (87) and individual high-danger chances 938), per Natural Stat Trick. 

Played for Jim Montgomery at Denver, where he put up 93 points (36g, 57a) in 81 career games between his freshman and sophomore season. Maybe there's some of that Montgomery magic that unlocked a few guys, namely Pavel Zacha, last season.

Bringing Heinen in on a PTO only adds to what's already a very, very crowded group of depth forwards looking for work. Maybe he can act as a bit of a safety blanket if some or most of the youngsters truly aren't ready. 

As we know, the Bruins love themselves some internal competition. There is absolutely no shortage of that as camp looms.