Why Roope Hintz will be the Dallas Stars MVP in 2021-22
What can Roope Hintz do at full health?
Let’s imagine what Roope Hintz can do when fully healthy, knowing what he accomplished on one leg last season.
The most impressive part of Hintz’ 2020-21 performance was that he showed no signs of his ailment when in the lineup. Hintz was still able to use his elite speed to break down defenders and exceed a point-per-game pace, which is not easy to do in today’s NHL.
“We can never forget, he’s playing hurt…a lot of guys wouldn’t play in the situation that he’s in and what he’s dealing with. Give him 100 percent marks for being gutty and (showing) the character to play. He’s just a dominant player. He shows what he means to our team. He’s our best forward.” -Stars Head Coach, Rick Bowness
Health has been a bit of a concern for the 24-year-old center. Hintz played through an entire series in pain after fracturing his foot during the playoffs of his rookie season. He then fractured his ankle in the 2019-20 Western Conference Final and missed part of the Stanley Cup Final with a groin injury.
Hintz and the Dallas Stars believed his groin was fully healed and ready to go at the start of last season. Unfortunately, the Stars learned such was not the case during training camp. We learned from Stars GM Jim Nill that Hintz was still dealing with injury and would be a game-time decision all season long.
Stars fans did not learn until after last season that Hintz required surgery due to the lingering effects from his playoff injury the previous year. Hintz’ status remained unknown for every game of the 2020-21 season and was often undecided until skating in warm-ups. Ultimately, Hintz played in 41 games and finished the season with 43 points.
We like Hintz’ outlook in the new season, knowing he’ll be in the lineup on most, if not all, nights.
Two-way player emergence
Hintz showed more than offense last season as he developed more into a true, two-way center. His ice time increased by nearly 4 minutes from the previous season as he increased in on-ice responsibility. Hintz exceeded 18 minutes per night in 2020-21 because he gained his coaches’ trust in multiple situations.
“He’s made so many leaps and bounds since he first came into Dallas, and now he is I think one of the most underrated players in the NHL…The way that he skates, his big body, he can shoot, he’s got great vision, great IQ, he’s very responsible defensively. When he’s out of the lineup, it’s a huge loss for us. When he’s in the lineup, it makes us a better team.” – Blake Comeau
Hintz killed penalties on the second power-play unit while also winning nearly 50% of key face-offs. The centerman was usually on the ice during the most crucial situations to include final minutes, overtime periods, and the shootouts.
Hintz’ production during the season was impressive, considering the eventual disclosure of his injury severity. Without injury, we expect Hintz to further cement himself as a Stars top two-way threat.
Return of the Stars top line trio
A large part of Hintz’s success last season came after he was matched on the top line with veteran Joe Pavelski and the rising rookie star, Jason Robertson. Hintz’ speed up the middle, Roberton’s wicked wrist shot and vision, and Pavelski’s positioning combined to form an incredible trio. The line was unstoppable, accounting for most of the Stars’ offense during their push for a playof spot.
The Hintz-Pavelski-Robertson line will be back.
Bowness has already stated Hintz, Pavelski, and Robertson will likely remain the Stars top line to start this coming season. Stars opponents should be on high alert, should the trio be anywhere as dynamic as last season.
A healthy Hintz and more experienced Robertson should flank Pavelski and thrive during most shifts in 2021-22.
A bigger spotlight in 2021-22
We expect Roope Hintz to see more opportunities to make a difference in his fourth NHL season.
Hintz’ emergence provides the Dallas Stars with an option outside of veteran Tyler Seguin in the top-line center role. Seguin has been most productive when paired with Jamie Benn, a player in an age bracket best suited for the 2nd line. Such fact bodes well for Hintz’ potential to see a majority of the top line minutes.
Hintz will look to play in all 82 games and continue the upward trend he’s shown early in his career. If Hintz can be at full health to start 2021-22 and remainhealthy throughout, there is no reason why he is not be among the NHL’s scoring leaders.
The opportunity Hintz will see in the new season will result in his official move from the NHL’s underrated players to elite.
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