The Edmonton Oilers have a good cap scenario for the 2023 offseason, in order that they’ll have some powerful choices to make going into 2023-24. Sadly, that doubtless means the top of Devin Shore and his tenure with the Oilers. Whereas he was solely ever an additional ahead or a bottom-six participant, he was cherished by followers and was utilized correctly in his time with the crew.
The 28-year-old scored 11 objectives and added 18 assists for 29 factors by means of 134 video games performed with the Oilers. He was by no means a lot of a producer offensively however as an alternative performed a gritty fashion that resonated together with his linemates and led to him being dubbed an “vitality participant” by many followers.
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I simply don’t assume there’s any room for Shore on the Oilers going ahead, however he’s nonetheless younger sufficient {that a} crew might take an opportunity on him and provides him a chance to seek out his sport once more.
Chicago Blackhawks
2023-24 Cap House: $41,844,877
The Chicago Blackhawks are in full rebuild mode. They gained the draft lottery and have the longer term face of their franchise ready to listen to his title get referred to as on draft evening in Connor Bedard. On prime of that, they’ve essentially the most cap house out of any crew within the NHL, and whereas they gained’t spend huge bucks making an attempt to turn into a contender instantly, they may try to spend a bit of cash to be a bit extra aggressive then they had been final season. Luke Richardson, Chicago Blackhawks (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
I can see the struggling Blackhawks giving Shore a contract as a bottom-six participant. It’s no secret he’s realized a factor or two enjoying on the identical crew as two of one of the best gamers within the NHL in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and so they might see him as a frontrunner on and off the ice. Whereas he doubtless gained’t bounce up a lot offensively subsequent season, he’s a participant the Blackhawks know wouldn’t complain about ice time or his spot within the lineup.
Dallas Stars
2023-24 Cap House: $7,394,671
The Stars had one more strong playoff run however got here up quick in the long run being eradicated by the Vegas Golden Knights in six video games within the Western Convention Remaining. They doubtless gained’t make many adjustments to their roster, however they’ll wish to try to strengthen it to allow them to recover from that hump and make it again to the Stanley Cup Remaining.
Shore’s finest seasons got here with the Stars. His profession excessive of 33 factors got here throughout the 2016-17 season and he adopted it up with a 32-point marketing campaign the 12 months after.
The Stars traded him to the Anaheim Geese throughout the 2018-19 season, and it grew to become a downward spiral after that so far as his offensive manufacturing was involved. Whereas he by no means misplaced his capability to defend nicely and forecheck exhausting, his level totals dropped. I might see the Stars taking one other probability on him and seeing if the connection works as soon as once more.
Anaheim Geese
2023-24 Cap House: $39,048,833
The Geese are one other struggling crew that might purchase into Shore and see if he may very well be a frontrunner to the plethora of prospects they count on to be enjoying subsequent season. He has performed with the Geese earlier than, scoring 9 objectives and including 13 assists for 22 factors by means of 73 video games with the membership.
This match makes essentially the most sense to me for Shore. It’s a crew he’s conversant in, and one that can maintain within the NHL as a third-line participant the place he might have the chance to seek out his consolation zone and start bumping up his offensive numbers once more.
I feel wherever Shore goes, he’s signing for the league minimal, a 1-2 12 months deal that provides him one final shot at proving he deserves to stay across the skilled degree. He was positioned on waivers a number of instances by the Oilers and no person picked him up, however hopefully, a crew takes an opportunity on him within the offseason.