Roope Hintz (upper-body injury) out for Stars' opener vs. Blues

Field Level Media|published: Thu 12th October, 16:44 2023

May 27, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) skates with the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period in game five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. credits: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz will sit out the team's season opener Thursday night against the visiting St. Louis Blues with an upper-body injury.

Coach Pete DeBoer said if it were a playoff game, Hintz would likely play, but the Stars can be cautious because they have four days off after Thursday until their second game.

"We're not going to jeopardize anything long-term to rush him in," DeBoer said at Wednesday's practice, per NHL.com.

Hintz, 26, who was hurt during the preseason, practiced as a full participant Wednesday.

In 2022-23, Hintz posted career highs of 37 goals (tied with his output the season prior), 38 assists and 75 points in 73 games for Dallas. In five NHL seasons, all with the Stars, he has tallied 245 points (117 goals, 128 assists) in 312 outings.

—Field Level Media