If Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat are the engines of the New York Islanders' offense, Emil Heineman might be the spark that keeps them running at full throttle. Since joining their line, the 22-year-old Swedish winger has added exactly what head coach Patrick Roy felt the duo needed: speed, grit, and an instinct for doing the dirty work that lets Barzal and Horvat shine.
Heineman scored two more goals on Thursday night versus Detroit and looks more than comfortable playing alongside Bo Horvat on the Islanders' top line. That's five goals in seven games. The 23-year-old was off to a blazing start with Montreal last season before being in a freak car accident in Salt Lake City. The injury sustained prevented the winger from having a breakout season and made him expendable to Montreal when Darche zeroed in on him to acquire Dobson.