Video: CBJ@DAL: Hintz makes nifty move and nets superb goal
Hintz might be the most physically gifted player on the Stars. He's among the fastest skaters because of his stride, but he's also among the quickest, looking like he's shot out of a gun at times. His size allows him to physically handle opponents defensively while also being able to muscle his way around them in the offensive zone. Since coming to North America, the high-flying Finn has been a good offensive player, hitting about half a point a game in his first full AHL season and then getting to 0.55 points per game in the NHL in 2019-20. However, Hintz tallied 22 points in 21 games in the AHL to start the 2018-19 season and then responded with last year's huge campaign, so he looks like a guy who can sustain his new scoring level.
Being completely healthy will be big for Hintz, but he also will have to deal with the fact that Seguin will be back and vying for first-line minutes. How the coaching staff makes use of the two will be crucial. In a perfect world, teams won't be able to defend both lines, and then Hintz and Seguin will each benefit. In addition, Hintz should get more quality power-play time, and that could add to his numbers. He also earned the respect of the coaching staff with his penalty killing, so it'll be interesting to see if he gets a boost from the 1:13 in shorthanded time on ice per game he earned last season.
Bottom line, Hintz has a chance to establish himself as the team's No. 1 center this year and he and Seguin could form the kind of 1-2 punch the Stars once had with Mike Modano and Joe Nieuwendyk. It should be fun to watch.
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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.
