PITTSBURGH — Kyle Dubas used July 1, 2023, his first day of unrestricted free agency as Pittsburgh Penguins general manager and president, to make two very loud mistakes by signing Tristan Jarry to a five-year contract and Ryan Graves to a six-year contract.

That’s been well covered. However, Dubas also made a good move that day that has flown a bit more under the radar: He brought Ryan Shea to the Penguins.

Shea was 26 and had never played in the NHL, but Dubas and the Penguins’ scouts saw his potential. Less than three years later, Shea has become one of the Penguins’ most valuable defenders.

Now 29, Shea is a mainstay on the Penguins blue line. He’s also scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

“I don’t really think that people understand how good this guy is,” said Connor Clifton, Shea’s defense partner in recent games.

Dan Muse clearly does. The Penguins coach has trusted Shea. More than 75 percent of the faceoffs he’s involved in have come in the neutral zone or the Penguins’ defensive zone.

“You see the key defensive situations that he’s put in, five-on-five and on the penalty kill,” Muse said.

The Penguins prefer Erik Karlsson to be on the ice in offensive situations whenever possible — not because he’s a defensive liability but because his offense is overwhelmingly good. Kris Letang and Sam Girard have talent, but they’ve been slow to find chemistry and have struggled in the defensive zone. This has led to an even greater desire to have Shea on the ice in defensive situations. He’s excelled.

“He does everything well,” Clifton said. “There aren’t any weaknesses there.”

Shea sounds like the kind of guy the Penguins won’t want to lose this summer. No contract negotiations between Dubas and Shea’s representatives have taken place, Shea said. There is, however, a mutual agreement to discuss his future immediately after the season, and he knows he deserves a raise.

“I’m a UFA this summer, and it’s not like I don’t know that,” Shea said. “I think I’ve done a pretty good job of setting myself up.”

That said, he’s team-oriented, and right now, his priorities are simple.

“Listen, I’ve never played playoff hockey,” Shea said. “I want to experience it pretty freakin’ bad. That’s my focus. To be honest with you, that’s my only focus right now.”

Though he’s focused on the playoffs, he isn’t shy about his goals. Since 2015, the defenseman has played in parts of two USHL seasons, four NCAA seasons at Northeastern University and parts of four seasons in the AHL. That’s a lot of bus rides. The view from the Penguins’ charter jet looks pretty good these days.

Ryan Shea’s journey since 2015

SeasonTeamLeagueGames

2014-15

Youngstown Phantoms

USHL

2

2015-16

Youngstown Phantoms

USHL

28

2016-17

Northeastern University

NCAA

38

2017-18

Northeastern University

NCAA

38

2018-19

Northeastern University

NCAA

39

2019-20

Northeastern University

NCAA

34

2020-21

Texas Stars

AHL

27

2021-22

Texas Stars

AHL

66

2022-23

Texas Stars

AHL

70

2023-24

Pittsburgh Penguins

NHL

31

2023-24

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

AHL

23

2024-25

Pittsburgh Penguins

NHL

39

2025-26

Pittsburgh Penguins

NHL

75

(Source: eliteprospects.com)

“I absolutely want to be in Pittsburgh moving forward,” he said. “I want to be here. This is the only organization that gave me a shot. I’m a loyal guy. They gave me this shot, and the new coaching staff that came in here has given me a ton of confidence. I absolutely love it here. So, we’ll worry about it this summer. I know this is where I want to be. For right now, though, I just want to worry about winning hockey games, getting to the playoffs. That’s what it’s all about for me.”

Shea’s ability to defend is certainly his finest attribute, but it’s not his only one. He’s become a leader for the Penguins in a fairly short time.

“Just a great guy to be around and a very good defenseman,” forward Rickard Rakell said. “Everyone on this team respects that guy.”

Shea has also been quite durable, participating in all 75 games this season. He’s also adept with the puck, and while doesn’t dazzle with his skating or his skill, he thinks the game at a high level. Despite rarely seeing power play time — he would only if Karlsson or Letang were injured — Shea has managed 30 points and five goals this season, including a one-timer against the Islanders earlier this week.

“That’s the thing about his game that I don’t think enough people realize,” Clifton said. “He doesn’t just always make the simple plays. Yeah, he makes the simple plays, clears the puck, stuff like that. But when I’ve been playing with him, there are times when he’ll make the more difficult play; he’ll go through the center of the ice and hit someone in stride. He’ll hang onto the puck until the last second and make a tough pass. And he hits it every time. He always pulls it off. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his offensive game.”

The Penguins are unlikely to break up their pairings, partially because of how happy they are with the Shea-Clifton duo.

“I have had a lot of different partners,” Clifton said. “It’s been really nice having him beside me. We’ve got some chemistry going. We’re playing really well together. We’re keeping the puck out of our net, killing plays, helping our goalies, clearing the net front. I love playing with this guy.”

The best teams in Penguins history have employed dependable, defensive defensemen with enough talent to play with the team’s Hall of Fame forwards. For every Stanley Cup win, there has been an Ian Cole, Brian Dumoulin, Rob Scuderi, Peter Taglianetti or Paul Stanton. Shea might well be one of those guys.

“He’s been outstanding all year,” Muse said. “There’s been a consistent (trend) there: He continues to elevate his game. You can see his game continuing to evolve in terms of puck movement. He has the ability to chip in and add offense. He’s a huge part of this hockey team.”

That’s the case right now, and it may be into the future.

“He’s an easy guy to root for,” Clifton said. “Great guy, and he can really play.”