I'd say he's closer to it than you believe. Across 2017-2019 Heinen had 81 points in 154 games, and was +23. That's better than .500 PPG while also being defensively responsible, all while spending time on various lines but most often on the 3rd. By any criteria that's a quality NHL player. Then in 2019-2020 he regressed a bit. Production wasn't terrible but he seemed to lose half a step in his game and he was struggling to make a consistent impact, and few were sad when he was traded, even though Sweeney as it turned out probably made a bad trade.
Now he's back and again a .500 player, with the same good passing skills and vision and a pretty high hockey IQ. I see two things different from 2019 - he's that bit more mature, and he's playing with a little more urgency and certainly some extra grit. He seems that bit more keen to make things happen. Well and good, and for sure he seems to be an improved player as a result. I'd just dispute that the change is that significant. The skills and the production haven't changed, just his attitude and style have progressed.
I know we're never going to fully agree on Heinen, and that's fine, but that's how I see it. He's a better player, albeit small sample so we'll see how he goes as the season progresses, but I just don't see a wildly different one.
