Welcome to the NHL Star Power Index, a weekly analysis of players creating significant buzz in the league. Inclusion in this list signifies capturing the hockey world’s attention.
The players are listed without specific order regarding their buzz level. We will update the Star Power Index weekly during the regular season.
The Dallas Stars boast incredible depth at center, but Roope Hintz has emerged as arguably their most productive player recently.
Hintz has amassed two goals and eleven assists in his last four games, including two four-point performances. He contributed a goal and two assists in a 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.
In the second period’s final moments, Hintz capitalized on exceptional puck movement from his Dallas teammates. Defenseman Thomas Harley maneuvered the puck towards the face-off circle’s edge before passing to forward Wyatt Johnston near the net. Johnston swiftly fed Hintz, who fired a shot into the net from close range.
Hintz also played a role in the game-winning goal, earning a secondary assist on Harley’s decisive score with just 3.9 seconds left in regulation.
Hintz has been dominant as Dallas’s top-line center for the past month, dating back to before the 4 Nations Face-Off. While capable of scoring from anywhere, his playmaking has allowed the 28-year-old to consistently find teammates.
The Stars’ center could achieve a career-best season if his current production persists. Hintz is on track for 74 points this season, nearing his peak of 75 points in 2022-23. Regardless, this season is already among Hintz’s most productive.
The Ottawa Senators are pushing for a playoff spot, largely due to forward Tim Stutzle’s performance.
Stutzle extended his point streak to 13 games with an overtime game-winner in a 4-3 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.
Stutzle’s goal marked his 20th of the season, making him the fourth German player in NHL history to reach three or more 20-goal seasons, joining Leon Draisaitl (9), Marco Sturm (7), and Walt Tkaczuk (6).
Just 46 seconds into overtime, Stutzle secured the puck in his own zone, skated up ice, entered the offensive zone, and drove to the net, tucking the puck in for the win.
Stutzle’s game-winner came just two days after setting up late-game heroics against the Washington Capitals.
With just over a minute remaining against Washington, Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson found Stutzle open in the face-off circle for a one-timer, which was stopped. However, Brady Tkachuk scored on the rebound to tie the game 4-4.
Stutzle has two goals and three assists in his last three games, recording at least a point in every game since January 26 against the Utah Hockey Club.
The Senators’ star benefits from playing on a line with Tkachuk and Claude Giroux. If Stutzle maintains this level, Ottawa will likely be in playoff contention as the regular season concludes.
The Dallas Stars are known for their offensive firepower, but defenseman Thomas Harley has solidified their defense while contributing offensively.
Harley, in his second full NHL season, has excelled at both ends, with a goal and six assists in his last four games. In Tuesday’s 4-3 win against the New Jersey Devils, Harley displayed his clutch ability.
With 3.9 seconds left against the Devils, Dallas had an offensive zone face-off after an icing call. After Mikael Granlund won the face-off, Jason Robertson found Harley across the ice, and Harley fired a shot past Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom for the game-winner.
Harley also had a secondary assist on Hintz’s second-period goal, which extended Dallas’s lead to 3-1.
Since the NHL returned from the 4 Nations Face-Off break, Harley has played his best hockey of the season, recording two goals and six assists in seven games.
Harley anchors Dallas’s top defensive pairing with Ilya Lyubushkin. The 23-year-old has become a true two-way defenseman and a crucial piece for a potential Stars Stanley Cup run.
The Calgary Flames traded franchise goalie Jacob Markstrom this past offseason. Despite Markstrom’s success in Calgary, the Flames had Dustin Wolf waiting as his replacement.
Wolf, drafted in the seventh round of 2019, has impressed in his first season as Calgary’s starting goalie. The 23-year-old has a 21-12-4 record, a 2.59 goals-against average, and a .913 save percentage in 37 games.
Wolf experienced a brief slump in early February, allowing nine goals in two games against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche. However, he has since rebounded, allowing no more than three goals in his subsequent five games.
Wolf’s strong goaltending is crucial for the Flames, who currently hold the final Western Conference Wild Card spot. If Wolf continues his solid play, the Flames have a good chance of reaching the postseason.
