The Pittsburgh Penguins made a late-night trade on Friday with the Vancouver Canucks, who were in the news earlier in the day completing a blockbuster deal with the New York Rangers.
When the ink dried on the J.T. Miller deal, the Canucks turned around and flipped the first-round pick they acquired from the Rangers and used it to acquire former Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor.
Meanwhile, forward Danton Heinen, defenseman Vincent Desharnais, and prospect Melvin Fernström are coming to Pittsburgh.
The Penguins acquired the Rangers’ 2025 first-round pick (conditional), forward Danton Heinen, defenseman Vincent Desharnais, and 2024 third-round pick Melvin Fernstrom from the Canucks for defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor.
Details: https://t.co/96yIZjGSC4 pic.twitter.com/3gBNgTiFLw
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 1, 2025
Heinan is back with the Penguins for the second time, having worn black and gold from 2021 to 2023. It’s also the second time he’s played with the same franchise, having skated with the Boston Bruins twice.
Here are five things to know about the 29-year-old from Langley, BC.
Second Stint With Penguins
As mentioned, Heinen has dressed for the Penguins before, coming to town as a free agent in July 2021. During his first season, he scored 18 goals and 33 points in 76 games, earning a new one-year deal in July 2022.
Unfortunately, Heinen could not recapture the magic from the previous season, scoring only eight goals and 22 points while going from a plus-6 to a minus-5.
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The following summer, he rejoined the Boston Bruins as a free agent before relocating to Vancouver in July 2024.
Interestingly, Heinen skated in the Penguins’ last playoff series, a first-round loss to the Rangers in April 2022.
Two-Time Rookie of the Year
While captaining the Surrey Eagles in the BCHL, Heinen scored 29 goals and 62 points in 57 games in 2013-14 and was named the league’s Rookie of the Year (Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy). He was also named to the BCHL All-Rookie Team and took home the Most Sportsmanlike Player trophy.
While skating at the University of Denver, Heinan had a breakout year again the following season. He scored 16 goals and 45 points in 40 games to be named the NCAA’s (NCHC) Rookie of the Year. He also made the NCAA (NCHC) All-Rookie Team and was named to the division’s Second All-Star Team.
Sixteen Percent of Career Goals Have Come on Special Teams
When fans think of lethal power play or penalty-killing units, not many people would think of Heinen as one of those superstars opponents have to worry about on special teams.
However, 15 of his 93 career NHL goals have come either on the power play or shorthanded. Interestingly, his first goal was a shorthanded tally against the San Jose Sharks and Martin Jones on Oct. 26, 2017.
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After 537 NHL games, Heinen has 13 power-play goals and two shorthanded ones. In the AHL, where he scored 15 goals in 70 games, he’s got five man-advantage tallies and three shorthanded ones, further amplifying his ability to strike on special teams.
AHL All-Star in Only Full Season in Minors
Heinen hasn’t played in the AHL since the 2017-18 season and has never played for any other franchise besides the Providence Bruins. Over three seasons from 2015 to 2018, he dressed in 70 games, scoring 15 goals and 54 points.
Related: Breaking: Penguins Defenseman Marcus Pettersson Traded To Vancouver Canucks
In 2016-17, Heinen played 64 games for the Bruins, collecting 14 goals, 30 assists, and 44 points to finish fifth in team scoring. However, he was selected for the AHL All-Star Game that season.
Despite not winning the Calder Cup that season, Heinen did lead all rookies in playoff goals (nine), assists (nine), and points (18).
Has Deep Connections to the 2024-25 Penguins Lineup
Although several longtime Penguins, including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, and Kris Letang, are still in the lineup from his previous stint, his connections run even deeper.
As a prospect and member of the Bruins for five years, he’s already played alongside Matt Grzelcyk and Noel Acciari in Boston and Providence while sharing the ice with Rickard Rakell during his one season with the Anaheim Ducks.
