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.
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