Underrated Stars Forward Gets Well-Deserved Recognition
Roope Hintz cracked the top 15 centers in the NHL in a new ranking released by NHL Network.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports - Underrated Stars Forward Gets Well-Deserved RecognitionThe NHL Network released their Top 20 Centers Right Now list and the Dallas Stars were represented yet again in another category.
Roope Hintz ranked 14th in a list that contains some of the most elite hockey players in the game. He is accompanied by names like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews.
Hintz was selected in the second round of the 2015 draft, 49th overall. In the AHL, he was an integral part of a Texas Stars team that made it all the way to the Calder Cup Finals in 2018, ultimately losing to Mason Marchment and the Toronto Marlies in seven games.
He made his NHL debut in the 2018-19 season, where he scored 22 points in 58 games. Hintz did not fully hit his stride until his true breakout season during the 2021-22 season, where he tallied 37 goals and 72 points. 37 goals is his career high, which he was able to match the very following season.
In the 2023 playoffs, Hintz recorded 11 points in a five games, which is the most of any Stars player over a five game stretch since the team relocated to Dallas. In that same playoff run, he racked up 24 points, which is tied with Brett Hull for the second most in a single playoffs and only behind Miro Heiskanen who put up 26 points in the 2020 playoffs.
If Hintz can complete another 30-goal season, he will be the first Dallas player since Mike Modano to record four consecutive 30-goal seasons. But despite his offensive accolades, Hintz's strength comes from also being one of the best two-way forwards in the league. His defensive game and ability to kill penalties is what makes him so valuable to the Stars. For the tireless work that he puts in up and down the ice, he seems to get snubbed of any major Selke Trophy respect year after year.
If Hintz can stay healthy, he should be able to top what he has done in the past three years, as he is fully in his prime at 27 years old. With the retirement of Joe Pavelski, he has the opportunity to be paired with someone who can match his speed, while also getting to play on a line with the sixth ranked winger in the NHL, Jason Robertson. Either way, Hintz is one of the most underrated players in the NHL, but it seems he is finally getting some well-deserved recognition.
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