Emil Heineman isn’t just scoring, he’s announcing himself as potentially one of the most important emerging forwards in the New York Islanders organization.

With his goal in Friday night’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers (he also hit two posts), the 24-year-old winger hit the 10-goal mark for the season, tying his career high from last year. The difference? He needed 62 games to reach 10 goals with Montreal in 2023–24. This year, as an Islander, he has needed only 25.

That is not a step forward – it’s a leap.

Heineman arrived on Long Island as a secondary piece in the blockbuster deal that sent Noah Dobson to Montreal, a trade that also delivered two first-round picks to the Islanders. At the time, Heineman was viewed as a promising but unproven scorer with good tools and a strong shot. Now? He looks like a legitimate 20–25 goal threat, a fast, physical winger with a powerful release and the confidence to use it.

Palmieri + Drouin + Heineman = GOAL#Isles | @ford pic.twitter.com/wxUouAr3Hl

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 28, 2025

And he’s scoring in every way possible: off the rush, with quick catch-and-release shots, and by driving the inside of the ice with growing assertiveness. His game has matured in all three zones, earning the trust of Patrick Roy, who continues to give him more responsibility as his production climbs. While other players have had come-and-go opportunities on the top line, Heinenman has stuck alongside Bo Horvat.

Perhaps most impressive is Heineman’s consistency. His 10 goals aren’t coming in streaky bunches- he’s been steadily dangerous, producing chances night after night. His underlying numbers reflect that same growth, with increased shot volume and possession-driving impacts on whichever line he plays. The Dobson trade was heavily scrutinized at the time. But with Heineman emerging as a top-nine fixture and a legitimate scorer, the deal keeps tilting further and further in the Islanders’ favor. Add in the two first-rounders, and one of the first moves of the Mathieu Darche era may prove to be his savviest during his tenure with the Isles.