Should the Maple Leafs claim this Penguins forward off waivers?

"The Pittsburgh Penguins placed Danton Heinen on waivers Sunday, and it could present an intriguing opportunity for the Toronto Maple Leafs to address their ongoing lack of depth scoring. Heinen has struggled this season in Pittsburgh, recording just one goal and one assist in 13 games, but his résumé suggests there may be more to offer than his recent numbers indicate. For a Leafs team searching for a spark, adding a new face to the bottom six could be a worthwhile gamble."

"Heinen has proven in the past that he can be a reliable NHL contributor. Last season, split between the Penguins and Minnesota Wild, he posted 29 points, and he has a career-high 47-point campaign with the Boston Bruins. The British Columbia native has also suited up for the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks, carving out a reputation as a dependable two-way forward who can handle heavy minutes and play responsibly in all three zones."

"One concern for Toronto is Heinen's cap hit, which sits just over $2 million per season. For a team already pressed tightly against the salary cap, that number could make a waiver claim difficult to justify. However, the potential upside may outweigh the risk, especially considering Heinen's strong play in the AHL. With Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he has produced six goals and 11 assists for 17 points in 12 games, along with a plus-10 rating, suggesting his confidence and offensive touch may still be intact."

Danton Heinen was placed on waivers and represents a potential depth-scoring option for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has struggled this season with just one goal and one assist in 13 NHL games but has recorded strong recent AHL numbers and produced 29 points last season. Heinen has a history of reliable two-way play, a 47-point career high, and experience with multiple NHL teams. Toronto faces cap constraints with Heinen's just-over-$2 million cap hit, yet a waiver claim could provide a versatile bottom-six forward to stabilize the lineup amid injuries and scoring shortfalls.

Read at Editor In Leaf