Making a top-six case for Emil Heineman

The Montreal Canadiens top six has been relatively the same since Patrik Laine returned from injury, but even before that I have felt that a change needs to be made.

For me, I like the speed that Alex Newhook provides to the top-six, but I think that he is playing too high in the lineup. I hold him higher than Josh Anderson offensively, but he doesn't complement his linemates all that well. A guy that I think would be a great fit in a top-six role is Emil Heineman and Grant McCagg agrees with me. Or the other way around.

I love Newhook's game, but I think he needs to play with other fast players, and guys who like to cycle the puck. His game isn't overly deft, in terms of puck skills and precision passing; whereas someone like Heineman is more offensively wired. Heineman has a well-rounded mature style and despite playing fourth line minutes, and limited power play time, he has managed to contribute quite well on the scoresheet.

If Heineman were dealt a new set of linemates, guys that provide more offense than Joel Armia and Jake Evans, he just might become a 30 goal guy. Heineman has the instincts and small area puck skills to get his shot off quick. Hesitation isn't a part of his vocabulary; if there is a shooting opportunity he takes advantage of it.

I think that Heineman has proven that he can defend well and physically he is capable of battling with the opposition. Many times he surprises me with his physicality, you don't expect him to throw a hit and he sends guys flying. But one thing that is certain is Heineman isn't going to pass up a good opportunity to shoot the puck.

With so many of Heineman's traits being at a level to succeed in a top six role are there. I think that if Patrik Laine is injured for any amount of time, Heineman deserves a chance. If he is given a tryout with Kirby Dach, maybe his style sparks Dach. I get that Laine being out leaves a hole, but that is a conversation for another day - there is another name I would throw in the hat.

If Laine is hurt and Newhook is moved, who fills the hole?

In my opinion, having Newhook on the third line makes a ton of sense, because he plays a style that lacks offensive pop. Playing with guys who aren't so crafty and don't need the puck in tight spaces will better utilize his skillset. But if Newhook is moved and Laine is out who do the Habs call on?

Personally, I think Jake Evans will get the promotion to the second-line centre role, at the very least to support Dach on faceoffs. But if I had the opportunity to call a player up to the big club, I think it would be between Joshua Roy and Owen Beck. I think you can flip a coin, and either of the two players could make an impact in Montreal.

For this specific scenario, I think Beck makes sense because he can come into the lineup and not be pressured with heavy minutes. I expect that he will kill penalties, so the minutes on the third or fourth line will be inflated by special teams. This is a great way to integrate Beck into the lineup, and still give him a taste on the kill to prove himself.