PITTSBURGH \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Shea was 26 and had never played in the NHL, but Dubas and the Penguins\u2019 scouts saw his potential. Less than three years later, Shea has become one of the Penguins\u2019 most valuable defenders.<\/p>\n
Now 29, Shea is a mainstay on the Penguins blue line. He\u2019s also scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t really think that people understand how good this guy is,\u201d said Connor Clifton, Shea\u2019s defense partner in recent games.<\/p>\n
Dan Muse clearly does. The Penguins coach has trusted Shea. More than 75 percent of the faceoffs he\u2019s involved in have come in the neutral zone or the Penguins\u2019 defensive zone.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou see the key defensive situations that he\u2019s put in, five-on-five and on the penalty kill,\u201d Muse said.<\/p>\n
The Penguins prefer Erik Karlsson to be on the ice in offensive situations whenever possible \u2014 not because he\u2019s a defensive liability but because his offense is overwhelmingly good. Kris Letang and Sam Girard have talent, but they\u2019ve 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\u2019s excelled.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe does everything well,\u201d Clifton said. \u201cThere aren\u2019t any weaknesses there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shea sounds like the kind of guy the Penguins won\u2019t want to lose this summer. No contract negotiations between Dubas and Shea\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a UFA this summer, and it\u2019s not like I don\u2019t know that,\u201d Shea said. \u201cI think I\u2019ve done a pretty good job of setting myself up.\u201d<\/p>\n
That said, he\u2019s team-oriented, and right now, his priorities are simple.<\/p>\n
\u201cListen, I\u2019ve never played playoff hockey,\u201d Shea said. \u201cI want to experience it pretty freakin\u2019 bad. That\u2019s my focus. To be honest with you, that\u2019s my only focus right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though he\u2019s focused on the playoffs, he isn\u2019t 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\u2019s a lot of bus rides. The view from the Penguins\u2019 charter jet looks pretty good these days.<\/p>\n
Ryan Shea’s journey since 2015<\/p>\n
SeasonTeamLeagueGames<\/p>\n
2014-15<\/p>\n
Youngstown Phantoms<\/p>\n
USHL<\/p>\n
2<\/p>\n
2015-16<\/p>\n
Youngstown Phantoms<\/p>\n
USHL<\/p>\n
28<\/p>\n
2016-17<\/p>\n
Northeastern University<\/p>\n
NCAA<\/p>\n
38<\/p>\n
2017-18<\/p>\n
Northeastern University<\/p>\n
NCAA<\/p>\n
38<\/p>\n
2018-19<\/p>\n
Northeastern University<\/p>\n
NCAA<\/p>\n
39<\/p>\n
2019-20<\/p>\n
Northeastern University<\/p>\n
NCAA<\/p>\n
34<\/p>\n
2020-21<\/p>\n
Texas Stars<\/p>\n
AHL<\/p>\n
27<\/p>\n
2021-22<\/p>\n
Texas Stars<\/p>\n
AHL<\/p>\n
66<\/p>\n
2022-23<\/p>\n
Texas Stars<\/p>\n
AHL<\/p>\n
70<\/p>\n
2023-24<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh Penguins<\/p>\n
NHL<\/p>\n
31<\/p>\n
2023-24<\/p>\n
Wilkes-Barre\/Scranton Penguins<\/p>\n
AHL<\/p>\n
23<\/p>\n
2024-25<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh Penguins<\/p>\n
NHL<\/p>\n
39<\/p>\n
2025-26<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh Penguins<\/p>\n
NHL<\/p>\n
75<\/p>\n