The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Danton Heinen to a one-year, two-way National Hockey League/American Hockey League contract for the 2026-27 season, club general manager Don Waddell announced today. Heinen will make $1 million at the NHL level, $550,000 if he is playing with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters.

“Danton is a competitive and versatile two-way forward who earned increased responsibility after joining our club in a trade last season,” said Waddell. “He provides valuable NHL experience and depth to the organization, and we are pleased he will remain a Blue Jacket for the upcoming season.”

Heinen, 31, has registered 102 goals, 151 assists, 919 shots on goal, and a cumulative +35 plus/minus rating in 612 career games with the Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins, and Anaheim Ducks over 10 NHL campaigns.

The native of Langley, British Columbia has registered five seasons with double-digit goals and four campaigns with 30-plus points. The forward has added 6-7-13 in 48 career Stanley Cup Playoff games. He was originally selected by Boston in the fourth-round, 116th overall, at the 2014 NHL Draft.

The 6-2, 187-pound forward combined for 6-6-12 and a cumulative +7 plus/minus rating in 46 games split between Columbus and Pittsburgh in 2025-26. He posted 5-5-10 and 30 shots, and was +6 in 33 appearances with the Blue Jackets after being acquired in a trade from the Penguins on Dec. 29, 2025.  

The winger played two seasons at the University of Denver, totaling 36-57-93 in 81 games between 2014-16. He was named NCHC Rookie of the Year in 2014-15 and was the league’s Forward of the Year in 2015-16 after notching 20-28-48 in 41 outings.