The words “Vancouver Canucks” and “Danton Heinen” have both been heard in conversation lately. In fact, over the weekend, both Vancouver’s NHL organization and Heinen’s name were often being spoken in the same sentence.
After the Canucks won just two of 13 contests through the month of February, General Manager Jim Benning has had his ear glued to his phone and his fingers working the dial. With the Canucks nearly dead-last in the division, they have entered to trade market and they’re looking for a shakeup within their middle-six forward group.
According to reports, Jake Virtanen is the man being shopped around by Benning. After Virtanen signed a two-year extension with Vancouver over the offseason worth a reasonable $5.1 million, the Anaheim Ducks became interested in his services when he was suddenly made available.
Certainly hearing Canucks and Ducks are still talking about a Virtanen trade.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) February 27, 2021
The Langley kid Danton Heinen’s name has popped up.
Rick Dhaliwal of The Athletic is hearing that talks between Benning and Anaheim Ducks General Manager, Bob Murray, have happened and that they are still ongoing. Those chats could surround multiple players in Anaheim, but the most common trade swap conversation seems to be Heinen for Virtanen. And honestly, the swap makes a lot of sense for both parties.
Heinen hasn’t played since February 20th and was a scratch for the Ducks over the course of those conversations. During that time, the Canucks have moved Virtanen to the power play and inside the top-six for a better chance to help boost his overall trade value.
Who is Danton Heinen?
Just days away from his 26th birthday, Heinen is a five-year NHL professional forward. Drafted 116th overall in the 4th round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins, Heinen has spent parts of four years in Boston and the majority of the last two seasons in Anaheim.
Born in Langley British Columbia, Heinen is a local to Vancouver (just like Virtanen) who is in need of a change of scenery. He has really great hands and he uses his smarts to get to the goal crease. He’s an individual who can play both sides in a pinch but shoots better from the left. Heinen loves to move his feet and he’s rarely ever caught not giving his complete effort.
Heinen was statistically at his best in Boston. He accumulated a career-best 47 points in 77 games as a rookie, before following it up with a 34-point campaign during his sophomore season. The following year, Heinen fell out of favour and split time between the NHL and the AHL. He played 58 games producing 22 points.
Just before the pandemic halted the 2019-20 NHL season, Heinen was traded to Anaheim for Nick Ritchie. Heinen played nine games for Anaheim in 2020 before playing another 17 this season. He currently has six points (3 goals, 3 assists).
Like Virtanen, Heinen seems to be a player who needs a fresh opportunity. Being that he’s a local kid, the Canucks and Ducks might be able to make a deal work. Virtanen is a big, bulky guy who could do well in Anaheim, and Heinen is the type of player that could see a jolt to his production if given an opportunity to play for his hometown team.
Making $2.8 million in the final year of his contract, Heinen is a player who would need to be extended, but he’s also a player who could help this team get back on track. As a Canucks fan, I wouldn’t look at this potential deal as bringing in a new face, but more so moving on from an old one.
What do you think Canucks fans? Could Heinen be a better fit in Vancouver than Virtanen?