Stars want to see Roope Hintz play with purpose at AHL affiliate Texas

EULESS, Texas -- Forward Roope Hintz was a breakout player for the Dallas Stars during the preseason, but that play hasn't translated to the regular season, and now he is headed to the American Hockey League.
Dallas assigned Hintz to the Texas Stars Saturday morning with the hope that the 21-year-old center, who made the opening night roster with a late push in the preseason, will get his game back on track.
"Get him going," Stars coach Jim Montgomery said. "Needs to play a little more games, get more minutes. He hasn't been possessing the puck very much in our games. He needs to go down, possess pucks, make plays."

Hintz struggled in his five games in the NHL, recording no points and seven shots on goal while averaging 12:01 of ice time. He played primarily on the fourth line but saw time on the second power-play unit as well. He was a healthy scratch in two games.
In Friday night's game against Minnesota, with Alexander Radulov out due to injury, Hintz got a chance to play on the top line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin but didn't seize the opportunity. After the game, Montgomery said Hintz wasn't pressuring the puck and creating turnovers.

After Saturday's practice, Montgomery discussed preseason Hintz versus regular-season Hintz.
"I just think he wasn't playing with a purpose out there like he was when he made the team, and that's what he's got to get back to," Montgomery said. "He's got to get back to being Roope. He's got to play to his strengths. How many times did you see him go wide and get the puck to the net like you saw in the exhibition season, right? Just got to get back.
"The NHL is a humbling league. That's what happened. We're all humbled today. We were humbled in New Jersey, badly. It's a humbling league, so you've got to bring it or else you will get humbled."
Hintz's assignment to the AHL does open a roster spot. Montgomery said Stephen Johns (post-traumatic headaches) is not ready to come off injured reserve yet. That means the Stars could recall a forward from Texas.
"I do think we are going to bring somebody up," Montgomery said, "but that remains to be determined."

Several players miss practice

The Stars practiced in Euless Saturday morning, and several players were missing.
• Jamie Benn and Marc Methot did not skate. It was a maintenance day for both players.
• Alexander Radulov (lower body), Valeri Nichushkin (lower body), Stephen Johns (post-traumatic headaches), and Martin Hanzal (back) all had rehab skates. Radulov could be ready to play Tuesday, but Nichushkin is up in the air.
"Radulov I would suspect would be a for sure go," Montgomery said. "Nichushkin I am not sure."
• Goaltender Anton Khudobin did not practice Saturday. He was sick, and the Stars sent him home. Goaltending coach Jeff Reese put on Khudobin's gear and served as the second goalie in practice.

"The only thing I could think of was, man, he is in a lot better shape than I am because he could get through that practice," Montgomery said.
Reese was sharp in net, showing a good glove hand and stick.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mark Stepneski has covered the Stars for DallasStars.com since 2012. Follow him on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.