Sheary Gets Paid: 3 Years, $9 Million

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced the club and Conor Sheary, 25, avoided arbitration by agreeing to a three year-$9 million deal. The contract leaves the Penguins with $3.28 million dollars of salary cap space with the need to sign a third line center and potentially a fourth line center.

Last season, Sheary scored 53 points (23 goals, 30 assists) in 61 games and played nearly 75% of his time with Sidney Crosby. When Crosby and Sheary were paired, the Penguins offensive production was nearly one goal per game higher.

The Winchester, Mass native played four seasons for UMass but was undrafted free agent signed to an AHL contract by the Penguins in 2014. Sheary, 5-foot-8, and 175 pounds has 17 points in 45 playoff games, including three points in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.

The contract settles the Penguins last unsettled contract. Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford, yesterday, told Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the new found certainty will accelerate the Penguins discussions to acquire a third line center. (Read the good work from the PG. PHN won’t rewrite other’s work).

Here is a list of links to articles Pittsburgh Hockey Now has written regarding potential third line centers:

• Tyler Bozak
• Adam Lowry
• And–Pens Could Wait until Season to Trade