With the first half of the 2019-20 regular season in the books, the Boston Bruins are currently second in the Eastern Conference. While they have had a successful first half, they still need help offensively. More specifically, they need help on the second line and have already been linked to names such as Kyle Palmieri. An upgrade, however, would not come cheap as Anders Bjork and Danton Heinen are drawing interest.
Hearing Bruins are active on the trade front, but also Danton Heinen and Anders Bjork are names that have come up in recent weeks. Bruins aren’t necessarily shopping them, but there’s chatter that NHL teams are asking about them as a starting point in trade packages. #NHLBruins
— Bruins Network (@BruinsNetwork) January 7, 2020
Through 43 games this season, Heinen has seven goals and ten assists. While he has almost matched his goal total from last season, the Canadian native has been inconsistent so far. After getting off to a hot start, he has only two goals and three assists over the past month. He also has five points on the power play this season, but the Bruins need more from the fourth-year winger.
While Heinen has struggled of late, Bjork is playing the best hockey of his young career. The Notre Dame product has six goals and five assists in 36 games this season. He has been more aggressive offensively and was recently promoted to the Bruins second line. After being plagued by injuries, Bjork looks confident and is making an impact at both ends of the ice.
Anders Bjork continues to make really nice plays that may fly under the radar #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/pBkJJA2Vfd
— Bruins Diehards (@BruinsDiehards) January 8, 2020
With the trade deadline looming, the play of these two will be monitored closely in the coming weeks. They have different skillsets but still make a positive impact. For the Bruins, however, they will not be easy players to part with.
Although Heinen has been inconsistent at times, he has 98 points so far in his career. He has proven to be a solid third-line winger who, at times, can contribute on the power play. He could also benefit from a change in scenery if the Bruins have a chance to upgrade the roster.
Additionally, between the two, Bjork has more offensive upside. Although he trails Heinen in points, he provided a boost to the Bruins second line against Nashville Tuesday night. He has also improved defensively and is becoming one of Cassidy’s most trusted penalty killers. Bjork already has 13 blocked shots and has landed a career-high 27 hits.
With the deadline looming, the Bruins have been connected to Chris Kreider, Tyler Toffoli, and Jason Zucker. They also have Karson Kuhlam and Zach Senyshyn awaiting their chance in Providence. How Sweeney decides to improve the roster will not be an easy decision, but it may start with Bjork or Heinen.
