HxH is second only to OP in shonen series imo. It's able to combine a great story, a huge, interesting world, fascinating powerups, and has a slightly darker tone than most shonen. I think OP does some of that better, but it doesn't combine it the way it does, and Oda doesn't take a break every dozen chapters. It has its occasional shonen cheesiness, but it's not horrible by any means.
I think it could be one of the top 3 ever shonen manga if the mangaka could've gotten his stuff straightened out. I do think the hiatuses (hiatii?) have affected the story, but it's had to tell. Either way, I'd check out the series if I were you. I greatly enjoyed the anime.
