Looking Forward: Hintz is a great example of how GM Jim Nill wants to take his time developing players. After being drafted in 2015, Hintz spent two more seasons in Finland and then a year and a half in the AHL. He was at about .50 points per game to start his career, but then had a point-a-game run in the AHL that led to a promotion. He then came back from the NHL playoff bubble and started a point-a-game run at the NHL level. He is pretty much now expected to hover around that total as he signed an eight-year contract extension that averages $8.46 million. That will be a bargain if the 26-year-old continues to improve. Hintz is big, fast, and smart. He is a tremendous two-way player and has fantastic chemistry with linemate Jason Robertson and Joe Pavelski. He has battled injuries at times in his career, but he also has fought through pain to play in some big games. Is he ready to push his numbers up even further? He is the tip of the spear for Pete DeBoer's offense, and this should be a pretty high-scoring team, so Hintz has the ability to post new career highs in every category.
