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 defenseman Marc Methot.

Marc Methot

Position: Defenseman

Age: 33

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 233 pounds

Shoots: Left

2017-18 Stats: 36 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 Pts, plus-11, 31 PIM

2018-19 Status: Under contract for $4.9 million cap hit.

Video: DAL@ANA: Methot bangs home wrister from high slot

What happened last year

Methot suffered a knee injury in November and missed half of the season. He ended up playing 36 of 82 games and was pretty solid when he was healthy. He finished plus-11 in his time and finished third on the team in hits per game (2.1) and fourth in blocked shots per game (1.4). Dallas went 17-17-2 in the games he played. Methot's time on ice was 17:53 per game, eighth on the team and down two minutes a night from what he averaged in Ottawa the previous season. Methot appears to be over the knee injury as he finished the year as a lineup regular and should be ready to go this season.

Video: How Methot has battled through setbacks this year

Heika's outlook

Methot is a veteran warrior and -- if he remains healthy -- could be a huge part of the leadership group for a young defense. Methot helped Ottawa to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final in 2016-17 and has shown the ability to be a solid defensive partner for a skilled defenseman with his work as Erik Karlsson's partner. That means he could be a strong trainer for Julius Honka or he could simply support Stephen Johns in the quest to become a more offensive defenseman. Whatever happens, he should be a big part of a blueline that is trying to integrate two new young defensemen into the fold.

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They said it

"I do think it's important to get good chemistry on defense and to have regular pairs, because I think that's when you're most comfortable. But I also know I'll do anything to help the team win and I'll adjust to whatever the coaches want. I think you just show up every day ready to be a good pro and do your best." -- Marc Methot on returning from a knee injury last season.

Video: Methot interviews teammates in Kelowna

"He's a really good defenseman. His ability to communicate, his ability to control the defensive zone and his ability to control pucks on offense is going to be a big part of what we do." -- Stars coach Jim Montgomery on the strengths of Methot.

Video: Methot gets to know his teammates

"You look at what he did in Ottawa on their playoff run, and you have to be impressed. Talking to him on the phone, I like the way he thinks the game, I like the way he sees the dressing room and how important cohesiveness is to how you play on the ice. He's going to be a big part of our leadership group." -- Montgomery on the leadership skills of Methot.

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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