When we talk about the best rookies in the National Hockey League (NHL) since the start of the 2024-2025 season, the name of Emil Heineman should start to resonate more and more loudly.
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The Canadian forward already scored the ninth goal of his season on Tuesday, which gives him third place in this regard among first-year skaters behind Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers and Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks.
“Heineken scored a big goal to start the third period,” boasted teammate Cole Caufield after the 3-2 victory against the Golden Knights. It was the equalizing goal which would eventually allow CH to complete the comeback after trailing 2 to 0.
With 16 points, the 23-year-old Swede is trailing only six other players so far, including Lane Hutson who has 26.
Even more impressive, his nine successes put him on par with veterans such as Filip Forsberg of the Nashville Predators, Carter Verhaeghe of the Florida Panthers, Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars and Alexis Lafrenière of the New York Rangers.
If he keeps up the pace, he should cross the 20-goal mark at the end of this campaign. All this, with an average playing time of only 11 minutes per game.
“It’s certain that you gain confidence when you score a lot of goals,” said the main player. But I still feel like I have to take one day at a time and one game at a time. I can’t take my foot off the accelerator because the team is counting on me.
Tiring to face
However, it is not only his offensive touch that must be recognized in Heineman’s game. The 6’2″, 198 lb left winger is an extremely effective forecheck player and constantly puts pressure on opposing defenders with his speed and solid, calculated body-checking.
It is simply tiring for a defensive unit to face him.
With his linemates Jake Evans and Joel Armia, they have now scored 26 goals since the start of the campaign, making them the second most productive line in the CH after that of Nick Suzuki.
“I think as a group we’ve been very solid lately,” added Heineman. I’m very proud of the way we fight, without giving up.”
