News broke yesterday that Danton Heinen would go to Boston on a tryout, and in many ways Heinen is the perfect example of the salary cap crunch putting a squeeze on perfectly capable and viable NHL players.
Two summers ago Heinen (then 26) signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh worth $1.1 million. A budget signing in the world of the NHL, but one that at least made sense being as Heinen’s career stuttered with the Anaheim Ducks from 2019-21. Heinen was a perfect complimentary middle-line winger for the Pens in 2021-22, scored 18 goals and 33 points in 76 games while being flexible to play on either wing and on just about any line in any role you want.