“Back in lineup” – Forward Danton Heinen officially back with Penguins after re-signing for 2022-23 season
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Danton Heinen back to Pittsburg Penguins
As the Pittsburg Penguins were threatened by the surfacing NHL free agency period, the team made a choice to re-assemble their trio group first and foremost. First, it was Kris Letang’s turn to cement a 6-year $36.6 million deal, while they waited to re-sign Evgeni Malkin to a 4-year $24.4 million contract before the market began.
Penguins general manager Ron Hextall had his priorities clear. With the trio back in action, he handed out deals to top prospects Pierre-Oliver Joseph, Owen Pickering, and Kasperi Kapanen. For the bottom six of the lineup, he re-signed forward Danton Heinen to a 1-year $1 million deal. Though this deal was not ideal for Heinen, he chose to stay for the 2022-23 season.
Danton Heinen may be in the third line for the 2022-23 season
As a 27-year-old, Danton Heinen had a career-high of 18 goals and 15 assists for 33 points in the previous season, while adding 3 goals to the playoffs and a game-winning goal in Game 4. He came to the limelight as he filled in for Jason Zuker on the second line as the latter missed the game for an injury. He also finished 3rd on the team in an even-strength goal last season.
While testing the market, major teams tried to pocket Heinen for his playstyle, as he initially didn’t receive any qualifying offers from the Penguins. Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets are among those many teams that clamored around Heinen, but thanks to Ron Hextall’s brilliant work, he was able to signup the forward at an extreme bargain.
Though Heinen was caught up in rumors, he himself never pledged to sign with any teams till the Penguins offer. Though the offer penned was for 1-year, in the future Hextall can use him as an extremely attractive chip in the future, as thehockeywriters.com claims. He has proved his worth being in the lineup as an NHL-calibre forward. Likely he will be assigned to the third line which can provide the Penguins with a solid stance against the Stanley Cup champions.
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Kaushani Chatterjee
(2147 Articles Published)