Summer School: Will Spezza shine in Montgomery's system?

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." First up, DallasStars.com senior staff writer Mike Heika takes a look at center Jason Spezza:

Jason Spezza

Position: Center
Age:35
Height:6-foot-3
Weight:214 pounds
Shoots:Right
2017-18 Stats: 78 GP, 8 G 18 A, 26 Pts, minus-12, 12 PIM
2017-18 Cap Hit:$7.5 million

What happened last year

Spezza had a rough run in Ken Hitchcock's system as he saw his time on ice drop from 16:10 in 2016-17 to 13:00 last season. He was shuffled from center to wing and moved around on the power play, as well. The result was his offensive production crashed. Spezza went from 50 points (15 goals, 35 assists) to 26 (eight goals, 18 assists). That was even more noticeable when you consider he had 33 goals and 30 assists in 2015-16.

Heika's outlook

Spezza might be the player mostexcited about new head coach Jim Montgomery. While Spezza has been known as a slow skater in his career, he is an excellent passer and loves to play with the puck. Those are things Montgomery values in a player. Montgomery said he needs Spezza to work harder without the puck, but that he expects Spezza to be a big part of the team dynamic in 2018-19. Spezza will likely be slotted in as the second line center and see his minutes return to 15-16 a game. If that happens, he will be expected to increase his point production and improve on his plus-minus (a combined minus-30 over the past two seasons). He will also be expected to keep up his faceoff success (55.8 percent last season).
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They said it

"He's a very intelligent person and hockey player. He has a very good puck-possession game and I think the way we're going to play is going to get him in areas to possess pucks. Now, he's going to have to work harder off the puck. With the puck and his puck support on breakouts is really good, but he has to win more puck battles and pressure the puck more consistently to help his teammates." -- Stars head coach Jim Montgomery

"I've always played well with guys who skate well. My whole career they've said I couldn't skate, so I'm used to that. I've proven people wrong along the way, and I'm looking forward to doing that again going forward. …You have to have a defined role on the team and a clear understanding of the expectations, and then when you do, I think you just have to be a good teammate. Moving forward, I have to find a way to have a bigger role and find a bigger way to contribute." -- Stars center Jason Spezza

"Our team needs him to produce this year. We can't have him at the same production levels as last year. He's going to be a big part of what we do, I know he is. His ability to win faceoffs is big. He's going to take more D-zone faceoffs than he has in the past, because I'm a big believer that you put centers in a position to succeed, and with us having two righties and two lefties like we do, that's a big help. They are all good at faceoffs, and I think using your centers on their strong side will only make them better." -- Montgomery

"I feel good physically. I feel like I have a lot of good years left in me. Mentally, I love the game and I love coming to the rink every day, so that's not a burden for me. I'm optimistic about the future, so I just have to learn from this season and move forward. That's part of being a professional."-- Spezza
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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