Forward Heineman was on draft radar for the Flames
Several months back, as the Calgary Flames prepared for the 2020 NHL draft, one of their scouts made a convincing case that they should consider this kid.
It didn't happen that day, but Bobbie Hagelin eventually got his wish.
Hagelin is apparently a big fan of Emil Heineman, the Swedish forward prospect the Flames landed at Monday's trade deadline.
“Going into the draft last year, I remember Bobbie saying, `You want this guy to put a Calgary Flames jersey on,'” said assistant general manager Craig Conroy. “But when we got to our pick (in the second round), he was obviously gone.”
Gone, but not forgotten.
The Flames welcomed Heineman — currently skating for Leksands IF in the Swedish Hockey League — in Monday's swap with the Florida Panthers, the deal that landed Sam Bennett in the Sunshine State.
Cashing in on Bennett's reputation as a spring standout, the Flames also acquired a second-round selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, while the Panthers receive a sixth-round swing next summer.
Heineman was on the ice for a playoff game when his NHL rights were traded. The 19-year-old left winger has yet to chat with Calgary-based media, understandably preferring to focus on the post-season push with his current team.
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, the young left-hander is currently in his sophomore campaign with Leksands. His stat line won't knock your socks off — he totalled seven goals and 13 points in 43 regular season appearances and has been blanked in two playoff dates — but remember this is a teenager in what is considered one of the best pro leagues in the world.
Heineman also represented Sweden this winter at the world juniors, scoring once inside the bubble in Edmonton.
It'll be a while before this kid is skating at the highest level, but Tuesday's matchup between the Flames and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena may have offered a glimpse into the future.
“As far as work ethic and compete, Zach Hyman would be a comparable. That's the type of compete he has,” Conroy said of Heineman. “When you watch Emil, that's what he looks like to me on the video and a lot of the highlights. He has good hands, too. He protects the puck. He finishes checks. He's a dog on the bone on the backcheck. That's what we really like about him.
“And when you talk to Bobbie and Hakan (Loob) and any of our European scouts about him, everyone is the same — they felt like this would be a huge asset to get into the organization and someone to
He has good hands, too. He protects the puck. He finishes checks. He's a dog on the bone on the backcheck.
grow with.”
Hagelin, whose younger brother Carl is a forward with the Washington Capitals, might have been bummed when the Panthers plucked Heineman at No. 43 overall in October's prospect pickup.
The well-respected scout must have been smiling after Monday's acquisition.
“When I called about him, I said, `Hey, I know you really liked him, are you still … '” Conroy said. “He said, `Craig, I like him even more now. He's been playing so much better than even last year.' So that's such a positive thing, when you hear that.”