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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Stars Sign Forward Prospect Roope Hintz to Three-Year ELC

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

Dallas Stars fans just got another reason to be cheerful this offseason: The team has signed top prospect forward Roope Hintz to a three-year entry-level contract. He is expected to play in Cedar Park with the Texas Stars, unless a spectacular training camp brings him into the big club’s picture.

The 20-year-old from Tampere, Finland – a center who also plays left wing – could do that. He’s had a fairly stunning ascent in his two seasons in the Finnish elite league, even with injuries that sidelined him for several games in both years.

From the Stars’ official press release:

Hintz, 20, registered a career-high 30 points (19-11=30) in 44 regular-season games with HIFK of SM-Liiga, the highest level of hockey in Finland. Hintz shared ninth in the league and first on HIFK with a career-high 19 goals on the season, while he ranked second on the club with 30 points. The forward also appeared in 14 postseason games with HIFK as the club fell in the bronze medal game. Hintz led the league with 11 assists and 14 points (3-11=14) in the postseason.

Hintz has amassed 67 points (32-35=67) in 126 career regular-season SM-Liiga games with HIFK and Ilves. The forward has also recorded 20 points (5-15=20) in 34 career postseason games with HIFK and Ilves. [Dallas Stars]

You may recall that the 2015 second-rounder (49th overall) was singled out less than a year later as a player who would have gone in the first round if that draft had been held in 2016. [The Hockey News]

And NBC actually took time out from live-tweeting celebrity sightings in Madison Square Garden to mention this, so you know it’s good.

Antoine Roussel talks with Mark Stepneski about Team France and playing part of the 2017 World Championships in his home country.

Meanwhile, Julius Honka gets a shout-out in Sean McIndoe’s list of five regular-season games that decided the draft lottery.

There was only one Stanley Cup playoffs game last night, and Oscar Lindberg scored twice to lead the New York Rangers to a 4-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators, tying the series at 2-2. [Blueshirt Banter]

Ominously, Erik Karlsson missed the third period due to a lower-body injury, but he’s expected to play in Game 5.

Sidney Crosby is skating again; his playing status is “day-to-day.”

Colorado Avalanche president Josh Kroenke still has faith in GM Joe Sakic even after their trash fire of a season ended in NHL Draft Lottery heartbreak.

Planning a trip to Vegas in June? Then you might want to check out the 2017 NHL Awards and Expansion Draft in person. Ticket prices range from $15 to $30. [NHL]

As if on cue, the Vegas Golden Knights have just made their first high-level signing, acquiring career KHL’er Vadim Shipachyov for two years and $9 million.

And because you may already be trying to remember where you’ve heard that name, here’s a reminder.

Fuel your off-season speculations with Matt Larkin’s list of 2017’s top 30 UFAs.

Finally: The Golden Knights had a little fun rolling lines after yesterday’s big signing. Enjoy.

Talking Points