Heinen Looks to Seize Opportunity

BOSTON - Danton Heinen suited up for 77 games with the Black & Gold during his first season in the NHL. The Bruins rookie class also included Calder finalist Charlie McAvoy and second-line mainstay Jake DeBrusk, among others. While the spotlight often shined on the other Bruins' rookies, Heinen quietly led Boston's contingent of first year players in every offensive category (16-31-47).
Last season, the Bruins top-six forwards were stacked with established NHL stars such as Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, David Krejci and Rick Nash, in addition to DeBrusk. With Nash remaining unsigned, the Bruins top lines suddenly have on opening.

Bruins assistant coach Joe Sacco made it clear that Heinen is definitely in the competition to try and secure the spot.
"I don't think there's any question that he's competing for a spot," said Sacco. "Whether it be a top-six role on the right side, left side. He had a good season last year, his first year, first full season in the league. He responded well. He chipped in with some offense. He was a reliable player for us defensively, and I think he looks good in the first day that I watched him today.
"He looks strong. He looks more confident, watching him today it looks like he's ready to take that next step. He's got a good opportunity there to try to compete for those types of spots."
In his first training camp as an established NHLer, Heinen is excited for the opportunity.
"I'm excited for sure," said Heinen. "It's a little different this year. I'm a little more comfortable around everybody. I think being ready to build off last year. I know we didn't end the way we wanted, but I'm just going to try to keep on building personally and as a team."

David Krejci also remained back from China, and Heinen skated on Krejci's right side during the first practice of training camp.
"If I get the opportunity to play [on Krejci's wing] I'd love that and try to take advantage of it. Just going to try to work hard and get ready… I played a little bit of right [wing] in college and a bit this past year. If there's a spot there and a given opportunity I would cherish it for sure. I don't think left, right is too different, but I would for sure love to give that a go.
"I'm just a little more comfortable with the guys and the organization. Just trying to come in here and learn a lot and work as hard as I can, so I think for me it's just trying to build off last and come in with that same mindset of trying to earn everything."
Sacco believes Heinen has the ability to produce in an elevated role.
"I think we look at it like there's more for him to give too," said Sacco. "We believe that, and again that'll fall on Danton's shoulders and how he responds to his games in the preseason and how he fits in with if he's playing with Krejci or if he's playing with Bergeron at some point. There's no secret certainly that there's a few guys in that are looking to obtain those spots."

Bjork Back to Full Strength

Forward Anders Bjork has not seen game action since a shoulder injury sidelined him at the end of February last season. After months of rehab and training in the off season, the 22-year-old reported to training camp this week feeling healthy and ready to go.
"It seemed like he worked hard in the offseason, got stronger," said assistant coach Joe Sacco. "He looks like he put some weight back on, looks to me like he's more fit…He's in a position where he's competing for ice time. He's a guy that makes plays. He has the ability to make plays. He creates offense, so he's going to have to do that."
His spot in the lineup remains uncertain, but the Wisconsin native is choosing to focus on his game and the adjustments he can make to see returns.
"I think I really want to keep improving," said Bjork."I trained hard this offseason, but there's a lot to learn once you get back into the swing of things and you're skating more learning the systems. I think I took in a lot last year, especially when I was injured, and I'm trying to implement that into my game now.
"I think my focus here is to soak a lot in and fix some of the habits I didn't like in my game last year. Some stuff in the d-zone, just being more responsible and smarter and jumping in when I don't have to and closing in at the right time."

Bjork said that the focus of his offseason workouts was strengthening his upper body.
"I worked on my shot a good amount this summer," said Bjork, "So I'm more confident in it. Hopefully I can use that confidence and shoot more, especially when I'm in the slot and in good areas. I think that's really important for me to take my game to the next level. I focused a little more on my upper body and trying to get stronger…I think for me having more stability and power in the upper body will come in handy during the season, especially playing against bigger guys."
Coming out of training camp last season, Bjork was given the enviable role of skating alongside Patrice Bergeron and Brad MarchandBjork is not expecting a similar role to be simply handed to him this year.
"If I'm lucky enough to play with Bergy or Marchy that'd be incredible," said Bjork. "I'm not expecting anything like that obviously. I'm just trying to do the best I can and try to be more versatile too. Being able to play different roles is big. Being able to play in the middle.
"I think having an open mind coming into camp is important because you want to be there for the team and whatever they need you want to be able to adapt, and that's something I'm trying to focus on for sure."
Riley Nelson contributed to this report.