Summer School: Will versatile Devin Shore return to rookie form?

As players get ready for the 2018-19 season under new head coach Jim Montgomery, let's take a look at what they did last season and where they can improve in a series we'll call "Summer School." Next up, DallasStars.com senior staff writer Mike Heika takes a look at center Devin Shore.
Previous installments:Jason Spezza, Tyler Seguin, John Klingberg, Mattias Janmark, Radek Faksa, Jamie Benn, Stephen Johns, Esa Lindell, Marc Methot, Ben Bishop

Devin Shore

Position: Center
Age: 24
Height: 6-0
Weight:205 pounds
Shoots:Left
2017-18 Stats: 82 GP, 11 G 21 A, 32 Pts, minus-30, 14 PIM
2018-19 Status:
Under contract for $2.3 million cap hit

What happened last season

Shore was fifth among forwards in time on ice at 15:26, so he was an important part of what the Stars were trying to do. That said, he tallied just 11 goals among 32 points, and both of those numbers were down from his rookie season. He also finished minus-30, which was worst on the team and among the worst in the league. As a comparison, Radek Faksa finished plus-21.

Heika's outlook

Shore has all of the tools to be a solid contributor, but he also is in a challenging place. New coach Jim Montgomery might be more open to giving Shore's minutes to Valeri Nichushkin (
who is returning from the KHL
) or Blake Comeau (
signed as a free agent
). That could mean Shore will be left to
fight for fourth-line minutes
and could see his special-teams time (fifth among forwards on the power play at 1:50 and fifth among forwards shorthanded at 1:25) diminished. If that happens, Shore will have to dig in and find new ways to contribute. A solid skater who had a reputation for two-way play coming out of college, Shore might have to make his mark as a checker this season. The fact he
can play any forward position
and also can scale up the lineup means he could be a great replacement if there are injuries to key forwards.
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They said it

"I think I am a good two-way player. I've played this game long enough that you know when you're playing well or you're not. ... I'm not sure why the numbers are what they are, but if you start chasing stats, you're going to get in trouble. I'm trying to play a simple game and help us win. That's my main goal." -- Stars forward Devin Shore on being a team-worst minus-30 last season.

"I know he started on a lot of D-zone faceoffs and that doesn't help the Corsi. Plus-minus is tough, because that's something that wears on players. I know it wore on me when I played. I know he wants to be a plus player and he's coming back with a lot of vinegar this year trying to change that, and that's great." -- Stars coach Jim Montgomery on Shore being a minus-30 last season.

"I think it's an asset to be versatile, especially with the depth of our team. It's exciting. You're coming to the rink every day and it's always fresh. I really enjoy it. There are definitely steps you have to take to prove you belong here. You have to earn their trust, you have to earn respect from your teammates, you have to gain confidence. It's all part of the learning curve, so you try every day to get better and help the team." -- Shore on being able to play any forward position and move up and down the lineup.

"I like what I see. He's a player who has poise and can make plays. He understands how the team wants to play, so he can move around and be very versatile. That's a great asset to have." -- Montgomery on what he has seen from Shore in watching film this summer.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.
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