Observations:

Sept 2016 – Heinrich is an agitator and seemingly nothing more. In his 20-year old season he registered 31 points in 70 games for the Winterhawks, but he did compile 118 penalty minutes for the year. Now 21 and likely entering his final season for the Winterhawks, he will have to add defensive resposiblilty and top penalty killing to his repertoire to progress towards a chance at an NHL career. Pat Quinn

Nov 2015 – Heinrich has had a slow start this season for the Portland Winterhawks, registering four assists in 14 games. He does have 31 penaly minutes in those games, however, as he is well on his way to clearing the 53 he put up last season. Points do not appear to follow Heinrich, but he does appear to be a cheap player for deep multi-category leagues. Pat Quinn

May 2015 – Heinrich had a steady year in the WHL, playing in more of a two-way shutdown role as the season progressed. More was expected out of Heinrich from the Portland Winterhawks as he came over from the USHL, but as the points were not there he did post a +32 rating. He also put up five points in 17 games which is not bad. He possesses more two-way ability over pure offensive, which could lead to a safe road to the NHL. With the Caps loaded blue line, expect him either in the AHL or ECHL for the time being. Pat Quinn

January 2015 – Manning the blue line for a strong Portland Winterhawks team, Heinrich is good two-way presence for the team. He sees secondary power play time and plays among the top four defensemen. With 15 points in 36 games, he is fourth among the team’s defensemen and second in plus/minus rating. This is his first year in the CHL and he has been good all over the ice. He just merely is not put into a position to score right now, making his offensive potential tough to judge. Pat Quinn

September 2014 – Coming out of the USHS program, Heinrich was one of Minnesota’s top high school players. He went on to play for the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL where he captained the team in his final season. Heinrich is described as an offensive defenseman who plays with a physical edge but the offence has not translated that well onto the stat sheet with only 37 points in 85 games in the USHL. From 2012 to 2014 he did put up 227 penalty minutes showing that he does have the potential to be a PIM producing player who can at least put up modest numbers. He was going to attend Minnesato-Duluth for the 2014-15 season but chose to go the CHL route and will join the Portland Winterhawks, as he feels it would be better for his development to play against faster and more skilled competition. He is not currently under contract with the Caps but they do hold his rights for one more year. Pat Quinn

Fantasy Outlook: D-

Heinrich is still looking to develop a better offensive game while remaining aware defensively. This season will be a telling one for his game and how the Caps view him long term.

Footage:

Heinrich talks about his second development camp with the Caps and his up-coming season with Portland

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