What's in store for Emil Heineman in 2025?

With 2024 officially over, the Montreal Canadiens will look ahead to 2025 and one player they should keep a close eye on is Emil Heineman.

I think since the Habs traded away Artturi Lehkonen they have needed a guy who impacts the game the way No. 62 did. I think there are similarities in the way they play away from the puck, though Heineman plays a heavier game. I think Heineman is more of a natural shooter than Lehkonen, but Lehkonen has multiple 15-plus goal seasons, including a 21 in 2022-23 with the Avalanche.

I love the attention that Lane Hutson draws because he is a superstar on the rise and will be in the conversation for the Calder Trophy at the season's end, in my opinion. But Heineman is doing a lot of good things for the Canadiens, despite being buried on the fourth line. Heineman has a blistering shot, which he uses smart reads and positioning to punish defences with.

His game is more than just shooting, though it is welcomed by the Habs, who will take all the goals they can get. When Heineman is on the ice, there is generally something happening, and if there isn't he throws big hits. He doesn't strike as a bruising hitter, but he has caught many opponents by surprise in the corners.

Many fans are looking ahead to the days with Ivan Demidov, and then Michael Hage, likely in that order, but not taking notice of Heineman. Heineman was a part of the Tyler Toffoli trade with the Calgary Flames in 2022. I think the Flames would love to have a player like him now, and I think the best is yet to come for the rookie.

I'm hoping that Christian Dvorak gets traded, and the Habs elevate Owen Back from the Laval Rocket. But the move I want to see most is Heineman moved up to the third line and paired with Jake Evans and Brendan Gallagher. I think Beck would benefit from play between Joel Armia and Josh Anderson for their insulation; although I think moves will be made during the offseason.

I don't see Armia or Anderson as a part of the team's future, so the young guys should get priority. I also think that they can mentor Beck, and then he and Evans can swap places. In Heineman's case he needs to be playing bigger minutes, with guys who can get him the puck in the offensive zone.

I think a 20-goal season wouldn't be a crazy prediction for Heineman, but this is just the start. I believe next year Heineman could push himself into the top nine and potentially the top six. Right now I would make an argument for him over Alex Newhook, though I respect Newhook's speed.

What kind of player is Heineman?

I think that as we watch Heineman right now, he is a guy that could play on the power play and penalty kill without issue. He is disruptive with his feisty backchecking and forechecking style, and never takes a shift off. Heineman blends skill and will, and for that reason I think that his engine will take him far; and his skill will make everything click.

I think Heineman can be a very good third-line winger with 25-30 goal potential, but in an increased role there may be something more there. He has shown plenty of things in minuscule minutes, so I think an argument could be inferred that he will do more with more. Heineman likely made a Christmas wish for more minutes, and I think Martin St Louis will receive the gift of more goals.

Heineman is a 200-foot player, who hits hard, skates fast and plays the game responsibly. He isn't fun to play against because he does everything at 100 percent. In the offensive zone, he bullies his way into the high-danger areas and scores goals, nine through 37 games - while averaging 11 minutes per game.

I believe Heineman is a Swiss Army Knife type of player, who will fit in wherever he is played. He plays the game one way, hard and fast, and he makes it work regardless of who his linemates are. However, putting him with a playmaker would be a very wise decision.