PHILADELPHIA — When the Islanders traded for Emil Heineman on draft night, the book on the Swedish wing was that he would be a prototypical fourth-liner.
High energy, physical, speedy.
An easy replacement for the role that Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin used to play on Long Island.
In Thursday’s preseason finale against the Flyers, though, Heineman was in the top six.
This was no random occurrence of preseason roster shuffling, but a deliberate call in the eventual 4-3 win.
Heineman might just work his way into that role for the Islanders, who are still shuffling through potential lineup options.
If not on opening night, it’s certainly something the Islanders may explore down the line.
“I feel like sometimes it’s not just about the skill [in the top six], but bringing a different e