There are a handful of Dallas Stars players that need to have a “prove it” year. But in Devin Shore’s case, his future could be drastically affected depending on how successful he is in his 2018-19 campaign.
Only two players have played in 164/164 games for the Dallas Stars over the past two years. One of those is superstar center Tyler Seguin, who is currently working towards a long-term contract.
The other is Devin Shore, who signed a new contract back in July. The two-year deal worth $2.30 million per year was signed between Shore and the Stars to not only get rid of his RFA status, but also to avoid an arbitration hearing.
And so, the 24-year-old is locked in with the Stars for the next two years. But how will those next two years play out for him? That’s up in the air.
When Shore began his full-time NHL career on Oct. 13, 2016, he looked to be yet another promising prospect in the Stars’ system. Even after spending much of the 2015-16 season on the IR after shoulder surgery, Shore’s impact in the system made him a primary call up and full-time starter in Dallas to kick off the 2016-17 season.
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In year one, Shore looked like a solid rookie, scoring 13 goals and tallying 33 points along with a -4 rating in 82 games. His presence as a depth scorer shone through as Shore played in all three positions and worked his way up and down the lineup. He played a part on the second power play unit as well and was put in a variety of situations. All in all, it was a good rookie campaign for Shore as he made a name for himself at the NHL level.
But the 2017-18 season was a different story. While Shore’s possession numbers were up slightly and Ken Hitchcock gave him a large role and more ice time than in his rookie year, Shore’s numbers didn’t stack up properly. He finished the year with 11 goals and 32 points in 82 games, meaning he took a small step back from his rookie year.
It wasn’t his goals and points that were the concern, though. Instead, it was some of the more advanced stats.
For example, Shore finished the year with a -30 rating. Not only was that the lowest mark on the team, but is also the lowest rating in Dallas Stars franchise history. He also owns the lowest shot attempt differential rating at a -133 over the past two seasons. In other words, when Shore is on the ice, the opposition was controlling the play more often than not. His defensive play was lacking in certain areas which led to his offensive production taking a step back.
This is where the red flags arise. And on top of that, it leaves a lot to be desired from Shore’s play, especially from what he showed in his rookie year. It’s not necessarily what you want to see from a guy who has a higher salary than young and talented center Radek Faksa going into next year.
That’s why the 2018-19 season is so important for not only the Stars, but also for Shore. With a new contract that is largely considered a “bridge deal,” it’s time for the 2012 second-round pick to make or break his image.
Oil On Whyte
Shore is a young asset that still has plenty of room to grow. He’s shown flashes of potential, but his recent performances bring about a certain sense of worry. And considering he’s only 24, his spot still very much has to be earned on the Dallas Stars roster. After all, players like Gemel Smith, Jason Dickinson, Remi Elie, and Roope Hintz will be gunning for the same bottom-six spots going forward.
He’s a versatile player, though, and can fill in at any position on any line. On top of that, his status as a depth forward will be valuable going into the 2018-19 season. New head coach Jim Montgomery is insistent on using all four of his lines, which gives Shore an even bigger opportunity to prove himself in the coming year.
But it will all be up to him. The chances will be there. Shore will have to find a way to shake off and improve on the negatives in his game while continuing to enhance the positives in yet another new system.
If he can do so, he just might earn himself a new contract that involves a longer term as he enters into the prime of his career. But if he continues to struggle with finding consistency in his game and leaving his lacking areas behind, the Dallas Stars could quickly find themselves going in a different direction with other players as they continue striving for their own consistency.
Shore has two full years at the NHL level under his belt. His durability is impressive as is his production and flexibility as a depth scorer. But there are still gaps in his game that need to be filled. It’s all a part of the growing pains that many young players face.
The question is whether Shore will be able to outgrow them. That all starts with the 2018-19 season. Can he find a way to be a valuable asset?