Penguins bring Heinen back on 1-year deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed forward Danton Heinen on Wednesday, inking him to a one-year contract carrying a $1-million cap hit.

Heinen posted a career-high 18 goals to go along with 15 assists over 76 games in his first season with the Penguins, who added him as a free agent last July on a nearly identical pact for one year and $1.1 million.

The 27-year-old made the most of his opportunities in 2021-22, as 15 of his 18 goals came at even strength while he averaged only 12:43 of ice time.

Heinen didn't produce much offensively with the Anaheim Ducks or the Boston Bruins in his previous stops, aside from notching 16 goals and 31 assists in his rookie season with the latter club in 2017-18.

Boston drafted Heinen 116th overall in 2014. The Bruins traded him to the Ducks for Nick Ritchie in February 2020.