Buffalo Sabres: Will there be room for Vinnie Hinostroza?
Buffalo Sabres forward Vinnie Hinostroza missed time with an injury last season, but he remained a serviceable player in 2021-22.
If there is one mid-to-low tier the Buffalo Sabres must consider keeping around in the lineup, it’s Vinnie Hinostroza. The 28-year-old journeyman won’t score you many goals compared to star players, but he’s someone who proved last season that he can step in and play any role you ask of him.
Besides the obvious staples in Kyle Okposo, Jeff Skinner, and as of last season, Craig Anderson, you need to rank Hinostroza toward the top of the team’s list in terms of work ethic. Arguably no one else on the team worked harder except possibly the players mentioned above.
But with such an influx of talent like Jack Quinn, J.J. Peterka, and a potential free agent defenseman coming in, do the Sabres have room for Hinostroza? Given his performance last season, he might be the kind of player you make room for.
Why the Buffalo Sabres need to make room for Vinnie Hinostroza
Hinostroza’s numbers aren’t attractive. His best season came with the Arizona Coyotes in 2018-19, when he scored 39 times in 72 games. He had an adequate 2019-20 before things fell flat in short stints with the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers, in which he played in just 26 games.
Things didn’t look much better when injuries struck Hinostroza multiple times. But it never discouraged him, and he became a primary fixture on the middle six with Casey Mittelstadt, Dylan Cozens, Peyton Krebs, Rasmus Asplund, and Okposo. He also developed sound chemistry with each on the middle six, especially Cozens.
Hinostroza ended the season with 13 goals and 12 assists, good for 25 points in 62 contests. He showed a combo of heart and speed while on the ice, the former of which you can’t coach.
Teamwork further defined Hinostroza’s game, and he was one of the most versatile players on the middle six, seeing the ice in many situations. While the Sabres have a potential logjam coming up, it doesn’t mean they won’t make room for Hinostroza.
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He is a great teammate who also showed leadership qualities and he possesses a solid yet unspectacular offensive and defensive game. Hinostroza is no lock to remain a Sabre, but he made his case to stick around for another season.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)