Pittsburgh Penguins: Conor Sheary’s Rise Continues
Conor Sheary signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and should remain there for years to come
Conor Sheary gelled with the Pittsburgh Penguins from the very start. At just 25 years old, Sheary has two Stanley Cup under his belt, and broke the 50-point mark in just 61 games last season.
The young forward played four years at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He was a productive offensive threat and captained the team in his final season. Sheary went on to play his first professional season Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2014-15, and finished with 20 goals and 45 points in 58 games.
Scoring 36 points in 30 games the following season, the Penguins gave Sheary his first his NHL shot in 2015-16. He went on to play 44 regular season games and 23 playoff games en route to his first Stanley Cup title.
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Despite having high expectations last season, Sheary did not disappoint. He played just 61 games due to injury, but broke the 20 goal mark and the 50 point mark. Needless to say, the Penguins knew exactly what they were getting, and are happy to lock up their soaring winger. They recently gave the restricted free agent a three-year deal worth $9 million.
Playing with Sidney Crosby Helps
The chemistry between Sheary and Sidney Crosby is nothing short of magical. Crosby, who played with Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis for most of his prime, looks rejuvenated alongside Sheary. Both players play off each other’s strengths to perfection.
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Based on his trajectory, it would not be surprising to see Sheary score closer to the 70-point mark. If Crosby and he stay healthy, the 30 goal mark seems almost certain, while the point totals will depend on his overall consistency throughout the season. He will have an extra 20 games to do it, and should have a healthy Crosby and Kris Letang to help him along the way.
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What is crazy about this whole story is the Penguins could actually be better next season. Winning two Stanley Cups in a row, young players like Sheary and Jake Guentzel make them a long-term threat. Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are two of the NHL’s best, and their help along the way make the Penguins even scarier than before.