Take the Hintz: Roope, young line 'a consistent threat' for Stars

DALLAS -- Chemistry is a nebulous thing in hockey.
Sometimes players fit together and sometimes they don't, so when you get something that seems to be working, it's nice to ride it for a while.
That's what's happening with the Stars' young line of Roope Hintz with Denis Gurianov and Jason Robertson.

Hintz, 24, and Gurianov, 23, have been building their chemistry since they were linemates in the AHL in 2017-18, and are taking the next step in becoming true NHL heavyweights. They're now helping Robertson, 21, make a huge leap as a rookie.
"Right now, his line is the best line we have," Stars coach Rick Bowness said when asked about Hintz. "They're a consistent threat on the ice. He's our best forward right now, hands down."
With Tyler Seguin sidelined most of the season after hip surgery, Hintz has been taking advantage of extra minutes and extra responsibility. Hintz played 23:43 Saturday in a 4-3 shootout loss to Carolina and took 30 faceoffs. He has three goals and two assists over the past six games, and has been embracing the extra responsibility.

"When I'm playing good, we get great chances from the rush," Hintz said.
Part of the reason for those chances is the fact that Hintz has become a solid defensive forward. The big center is listed at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds and he's using his size and skating ability to become one of the team's most trusted forwards. That means he's out on the ice for key situations, including power play and penalty kill.
"Roope has been one of our best penalty killers, he's doing a great job there," Bowness said. "With young players, it's a progression. Some guys need a couple of years not just a couple of months. Roope now is playing full time, and you can see how fast he's improving. He's a top-minute player. He's a dominant player right now."
In fact, Hintz is becoming one of the keys to the style of play that Bowness wants the team to embrace. The head coach decided to try to activate his defensemen heading into the playoff bubble last season, but that requires forwards to be able to cover for the defensemen who are pushing up ice.
"We're always showing video because if our D are up, a forward has to be there to support them. And you watch Roope, and he's always backing our D up," Bowness said. "He's very reliable defensively and he has great hockey sense. He's a solid two-way player, and we love the way he's playing."

Gurianov said he has worked hard to become a good defensive player, and that he very much believes that he creates offense from making good defensive plays. That's rubbing off on Robertson, who still is learning.
"I think we have good communication, and we find each other pretty well," Gurianov said. "Robo is a smart kid and he has a really good shot and it's fun to play with him."
On Saturday, Robertson played 17:12, including a long shift in overtime. He also was one of the players selected to participate in the shootout. He was stopped, but the experience was good for him.
"He's an offensive player and we're out there to win," Bowness said. "He's young, I get it, and he needs more experience and there is a chance he's going to make some mistakes and that's fine. Down the road, he's going to learn from those."
And right now, he's earning a chance to play on the team's best line.
"He's a threat with the puck and that's why he's out there," Bowness said. "I have a lot of faith in his puck ability and his offensive sense. We there to win the game and that's why he's out there."

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast.