Forward Danton Heinen ready for multiple roles with the Penguins

During the first week of training camp, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Danton Heinen skated on the right wing of a top line that included All-Stars Jake Guentzel on the left wing and Jeff Carter at center.

That assignment lasted for a handful of practices.

After a few cuts were made to the roster, Heinen was working the left wing of the third line with Teddy Blueger at center and Brock McGinn on the right wing.

Then, on Sunday, after Guentzel was placed in isolation for a positive covid-19 test, Heinen replaced him on the top line with Carter as well as Bryan Rust at right wing.

Helping the Penguins claim a 5-1 preseason win against the Red Wings at PPG Paints Arena, Heinen had a goal and two assists while logging 17 minutes, 32 seconds of ice time on 20 shifts. He even punched his time card on the power play (2:58) and penalty kill (1:37).

With a little more than week before the opening of the 2021-22 regular season, Heinen has yet to nail down anything resembling a regular role with his new team.

And that’s by design.

A malleable player who can play both wings and on all four lines, Heinen’s versatility is what appealed to Penguins management when it used what precious little salary cap space it had to work with on a one-year deal worth $1.1 million to sign the Langley, British Columbia, native.

“He has the potential to play in a number of different roles for us depending on how the lines sort themselves out,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He has the offensive instincts. He thinks the game at a high level. I think he has the ability to play in our top six if we need him to. He’ll bring an offensive dimension to our top nine if we need him to. Depending on how the lines play themselves out, I think he’s going to be a real good player for us. I’ve been impressed with his game so far.”

A fourth-round pick (No. 116 overall) of the Boston Bruins in 2014, Heinen broke into the NHL on a full-time basis as a rookie 2017-18. Deployed on the left wing of Boston’s third line that season, he established career-highs with 77 games and 47 points (16 goals, 31 assists).

Last season with the Anaheim Ducks, Heinen usually skated on the second line and posted 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 43 contests.

Like most teams this summer, the Ducks were bumping their heads against the salary cap ceiling due to the league’s economics being ravaged by the pandemic. As a result, Anaheim declined to extend a qualifying offer to Heinen as a restricted free agent and set him free.

“It (was) a little uncertain,” Heinen said of the offseason. “But I kind of believed there would be something out there. I’m grateful to be here and have a job and just try to make this team and help them any way I can.”

What exactly that job will be might change on a daily basis.

“I (switched wings) many times before,” said the left-hander. “For me, left or right is not a huge difference. There’s a little bit of pros and cons to both, but I’m good playing either side.”

Heinen has had double-digit goals in three of his four full NHL seasons. He would have likely reached that plateau last season were it not for the NHL condensing the schedule to 56 games for each team because of the pandemic. But he has seen a steady drop in his goal production since his rookie campaign.

He suggests a simple solution for getting back to that level.

“Trusting my shot a bit more,” said Heinen, 26. “Instead of always looking for the open guy, maybe shoot a bit more. I think I have the capability. It’s just a matter of getting back there.”

“He’s quick,” Blueger said. “He seems like (he has) really smart, great hockey sense. A sneaky, quick shot. He gets it off really quick (and) accurate. I mean, he’s got all the tools.”

With all those tools, he’ll have plenty of duties to fill in 2021-22.

“(The Penguins are) up-tempo,” Heinen said. “A team that plays with pace and offensive-minded. I feel I can try to fit in and help any way I can.”

Follow the Penguins all season long.