Stepneski: Prospects improving as Texas makes playoff run

CEDAR PARK, Texas -- As the Texas Stars advance to the next round of the Calder Cup Playoffs after dispatching Ontario 3-1 in their best-of-five series, DallasStars.com's Mark Stepneski gives some observations on a few notable Dallas prospects and players suiting up for the organization's AHL affiliate.

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Roope Hintz, C

The speedy, skilled Hintz is having a nice first year in North America, tallying 35 points (20 goals, 15 assists) in 70 regular season games. The 20 goals ranked second on Texas and tied for 12th among AHL rookies. He's played center in the AHL and has done a nice job, especially improving on the defensive side of the game. Hintz, a second-round pick out of Finland in 2015, has looked good in the playoffs. He came up big in the first game of the Ontario series, assisting on two goals including Brian Flynn's game-winner in overtime. He had the primary assist on Denis Gurianov's game-winner in the Game 4 victory that clinched the series. What's stood out about Hintz is that he didn't shy away from the physical play in the series against a physical Ontario team. In Game 1, he took a big hit in the neutral zone and got right back up, and he was there backing up his teammates and himself in scrums. Not that Stars forward Remi Elie is making roster decisions, but Elie thinks Hintz is ready for the NHL.
Texas coach Derek Laxdal: "He's taken some big steps in his game. We know he can skate, we know he can score, we know he can shoot, and we know he can pass. It's the small details of his game defensively, stopping on pucks, not swooping. There's still a lot of that in his game, but we've seen a lot of improvement. The second part is he is starting to learn to play through some of the traffic, playing through some hits. [This series] is going to be a real good test for him. It's going to be a physical series, and it's going to help him develop his game to get to the next level."

Denis Gurianov, RW/LW

Gurianov had some ups and downs over the course of the season, his second in North America, but he finished strong and ended tied for third on Texas in goal scoring with 19 in 74 games. The first-round pick in 2015 looked good in the playoff series with Ontario. He scored a big goal in Game 1 and then helped set up Flynn's game-winner in OT. He scored the lone goal in the Game 4 win that sent Texas to the next round. You can see how his overall game has become more well-rounded. Back in September at the prospect tournament in Traverse City, you'd often see him cheating for offense. Now, you might see him hanging back in a defensive posture in the offensive zone when it is necessary. Gurianov handled the physical play of the series well. He could still shoot more, but his speed and skill have been on display so far in the playoffs, and he's playing a strong game right now.
Laxdal: "His game is improving at the right time of the season. He had a lot of peaks and valleys at the start of the season and middle of the season, and in the second half of the season you can see a little bit of maturity in his game. You can see more personal care in his own stance where if he has a bad play on the ice he is getting mad at himself. We didn't see that at the beginning of the season. So you can see that he is maturing in that he is starting to care a little more about his game and you can see there is a little more accountability from him."

Gavin Bayreuther, D

Like any first-year pro, Bayreuther had some ups and downs this season, but overall it was pretty good. He led Texas defensemen and ranked third among AHL rookie blueliners in scoring with 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists). He was very impressive in the playoff series with Ontario. Bayreuther moves the puck well, whether it is with his skating ability or his ability to make a pass. He used both his skating, passing prowess and some patience to set up Samuel Laberge's game-winning goal in the double-overtime win over Ontario in Game 3 of the series on Sunday. He appears to have taken some steps forward defensively. He looks confident, calm under pressure and in control out there. Bottom line, he's come a long way over the course of the season.
Laxdal:"Gavin is probably our most improved player throughout the season. Probably Gavin then Roope (Hintz) and Denis (Gurianov). But Gavin from the start of the season to now is a totally different defenseman. You can see a lot of confidence in his game, a lot of poise. He's moving the puck. He's jumping up on plays. He's got a presence back there now, which you can see in handling pucks, taking hits, spinning off plays and just having the confidence to make the right play at the right time. He's going to be a big part of our back end in the playoffs. We really like the way his game as developed the second half."
MOVING ON: [Texas Stars dispatch Ontario to advance in Calder Cup Playoffs]

Jason Dickinson, C/LW

Dickinson was superb in the AHL this season, tallying 18 goals in 42 games and playing in all situations. He also played 27 games in the NHL and didn't make the most of the opportunity. He'll tell you that. "I was given the opportunity, and I just didn't do the best job with it," he said. "I need to have belief in myself. A lot of times I played like I didn't want to lose instead of wanting to win. That's not a good way to play." Dickinson also said it was an adjustment as he shuffled between the AHL and NHL this season. He was involved in 17 transactions as he moved between the Dallas Stars and Texas Stars in 2017-18. He's been quiet in the playoffs so far as far as offensive production, but he's been noticeable. He did get injured in the second game of the series, so that could be having an impact on his play. He's still a key player for Texas in the playoffs and is a guy who should be able to push for playing time in the NHL next season. He's a good player with speed and skill who plays well on both sides of the puck.
Laxdal:"I've got to give him a lot of credit. I am not sure any other player could have done what he did this year. He's a very mature player. It's tough for a player to go up and down, up and down, up and down, trying to figure out where you stand in the organization. But there is a lot of care in his game. He feels a part of this team, and he feels a part of the Dallas Stars. I think this playoffs is going to be a chance for him to dictate or develop his game and get him to the next level. It's going to be a hard, physical, intense series and that's where he's got to get his game started every game. He just seems to play into the game, and then he gets hit and he gets going. He's got to start from the drop of the puck."

Remi Elie, LW/RW

Elie, obviously, spent almost all season in the NHL, playing just two AHL games at the start of the year and then two more with Texas after Dallas' season ended. His season in Dallas was decent. The numbers don't jump out at you (six goals, eight assists in 72 games) but he brought some speed and energy to the lineup, and he is good at helping create opportunities. He does the same in Texas but in a bigger role. He sees lots of ice time and plays on both sides of special teams. You'd like to see him finish more of his chances at both levels. He was quiet in Game 1 of the Ontario series but came on strong and has been an effective player for Texas.
Laxdal: "[The biggest difference from the start of the season to now is] confidence. Confidence and belief in his game. Kid can skate. He's big, strong. What he needs to do down here is take advantage of his opportunity through a playoff drive. He's got a heavy shot, shoot pucks on net. He's a heavy body, heavy presence, he's got to finish his hits. He's got to play the way he played in Dallas to be successful down here and obviously to help our team out."

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Dillon Heatherington, D

Heatherington had a solid season with Texas. He's a defensive defenseman who played primarily on a pair with veteran Brent Regner in the top four and sees a lot of the oppositions top players. He saw eight games with Dallas and was OK. His play has been alright so far in the AHL playoffs. There have been a couple of bumps here and there. You'd like to see him move the puck better, but he's a reliable defenseman who defends well. He is a good prospect.
Laxdal: "Heater is a big, shutdown defenseman that has come back down from Dallas with a lot of confidence. He's going to play a lot of heavy minutes against their top lines as a shutdown role. He's got to work on his skating and his puck movement, first pass and snapping pucks hard. That's an easy fix for him. You can't question his compete, can't question his desire. That's the part of his game, the part of his personality that got him to the next level.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow him on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.