April 19: Shea has cleared waivers and can head to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, per CapFriendly.
April 18: The Pittsburgh Penguins have placed defenseman Ryan Shea on waivers (Twitter link). It’s his second time on waivers this season, after passing through unclaimed in December. The Penguins also assigned Valtteri Puustinen, Radim Zohorna, and Jack St. Ivany to the minor leagues (Twitter link).
Shea has served as one of many rotating through Pittsburgh’s seventh defenseman role, ultimately slotting into 31 games. He recorded just one point – an April 4th goal – in those appearances this season, though he did manage six points in 22 AHL games.
Shea made his NHL debut earlier this year, joining the Penguins as an unrestricted free agent last summer. It was the first move of Shea’s young career, after spending his first three pro seasons with the AHL’s Texas Stars. Shea was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks but went on to sign with the Dallas Stars after going unsigned by the Blackhawks. He managed 66 points in 163 games with the Texas Stars.
These assignments come after the Penguins’ 2023-24 season ended with no playoff berth. Shea will, if he clears waivers, join the trio of assignees as reinforcements to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, who are bound for a strong playoff spot of their own, currently ranked third in the AHL’s Atlantic Division.
Hope he doesn’t get claimed. He played well down the stretch for the Pens
Pretty sure he’s a ufa so no one is claiming him.
I completely agree Shea and St.Ivany were a very solid pairing would like to see them as the 3rd pairing next season.
Why send him through waivers?
AHL playoff experience is worth losing him?
I see him more as a #8 or 9 D man, but those still have value.
If he keeps Ryan Graves from playing, actually, he has absurd value. Graves needs a big rebound or else he needs to be buried, contract notwithstanding.
Because he’s a free agent. No one will claim him and he’s unlikely to get resigned anyway unless they get desperate.
Puustinen will be quality player next year if in the top 6 mix with the Pens..could put up 25+ goals ..
Seriously though,
Jack Johnson was Ray Bourque and his contract basically the veteran minimum compared to just what a true albatross Ryan Graves was this season.
Maybe Jarry would have been great down the stretch, too, not having to play behind Graves. SO bad.
Evidently, his wife was pregnant, maybe he distracted and will be better next year, but…
He was signed and paid as a top pairing guy and was, at best, their #10 this season.