After a fairly busy stretch on the trade front in recent days, the Penguins quickly turned their focus to one of their pending unrestricted free agents. The team announced that they’ve signed defenseman Ryan Shea to a one-year, $900K contract extension.
The 28-year-old has been a full-timer on an NHL roster for the first time in his career this season, albeit being primarily in a reserve role. Shea has suited up in 28 contests for Pittsburgh so far in 2024-25, notching two goals and three assists while averaging 16:30 per night. His role has increased significantly since the 4 Nations Face-Off, however, as he has averaged nearly 21 minutes per game since then and he should be in line to keep playing that bigger role down the stretch.
Shea came to Pittsburgh through Group Six unrestricted free agency after spending three years in their system without getting an NHL opportunity. He got into 31 games with the big club last season, earning a two-way deal for his efforts and now, he gets his highest guaranteed salary as he looks to cement a full-time spot in their lineup for 2025-26.
The Penguins now have five blueliners under contract for next season with Shea joining Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, Ryan Graves, and Vladislav Kolyachonok. Matt Grzelcyk wasn’t moved by today’s deadline and is UFA-eligible this summer while Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Conor Timmins, acquired earlier today from Toronto, will be restricted free agents with salary arbitration rights.
Given the returns being paid today I’m really surprised that Grzelcyk wasn’t moved.
I assume Grezelekcykelcyk didn’t attract one of the loony offers and they might extend him for another year. I would have moved him.
OTOH, if Rakell didn’t attract a WTF offer (which I assume he didn’t or he would be gone) I’m glad we kept him. Sid’s line is intact and he can still be moved in the summer or next March.
Seems like Dubas is also leaving enough room to pick up a few more Kevin Hayes style salary dumps.
Still, as lousy as this roster is at we sit here today, not sure it’s good enough to get into the top 4 of this draft without a ping pong ball.
Need Spencer Knight to become the next Hasek and for the Preds and Sabres to finally click over the next 6 weeks.
I know we are tanking and Ryan Graves is now our MVP, but…I still can’t take it…he’s so bad. I want him to wear a suit for the rest of his Pens career.
So bad.
By not moving Rakell today the Pens didn’t (in all likelihood of a trade) burn a retention spot. With the other 2 opening up on July 1st, it could get interesting to see could be moved. Karlsson is the big obvious name, and likely holding one for the next deadline, but maybe that 3rd one could be used on Graves or Jarry if someone was dumb/desperate enough.
Unless someone loses their mind, I expect both Graves and Jarry to be Penguins for a while…until the final year of each of their deals if not the whole contracts.
It just doesn’t make sense to spend assets.
Jarry should get a real chance down the stretch. Him somehow finding his game would be big for this franchise, actually. AND if not…tanking, so…it’s fine.