Pittsburgh Penguins Have Interesting Decision To Make About Ryan Shea – Hockey Writers – Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been full of surprises this season. Eighteen-year-old Ben Kindel had a breakout rookie campaign; the team got strong performances from Evgeni Malkin, Anthony Mantha, Justin Brazeau, and Egor Chinakhov; and Pittsburgh is making the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Coming into this season, the Penguins had some big questions defensively and while they have found success, they still need to find some answers when it comes to the blue line this summer. Defenseman Ryan Shea had a solid season with his consistency and reliable play, but should Pittsburgh bring him back next season?

Shea Has Found His Game This Season

This was Shea’s third season with the Penguins and at his peak. Going into this season, he had three goals and six points in two seasons combined. This season, he played in 80 games, scored six goals and added 29 assists for 35 points. There were times when he struggled, but overall, he was reliable, his play was consistent in all three areas, and he expanded his offensive game. He was very good on the penalty kill.

Shea averaged 18:53 of average ice time and provided solid depth on defense all season. At times, he struggled against the opposing forecheck and was not always the best player. However, his versatility and reliability made it a successful season for him.

Shea will be a free agent on July 1, which is fast approaching. There is a good chance that if the Penguins don’t sign him then, they won’t bring him back. Would that be the right decision? Obviously, they have some major issues to address defensively. Harrison Brunicke is a promising young defenseman who will push for a roster spot next season, but he probably won’t be ready for regular minutes right away.

Shea is 29 years old and won’t turn 30 until February. It usually takes defensemen a long time to develop, and this season he found himself a reliable NHL blueliner. However, there are fears that he will not be able to replicate this type of season.

What Will The Penguins Choose To Do On Defense?

Despite his strong season, Shea won’t be the most sought-after defenseman on the free agent market. Although he had more points than any other free-agent blueliner, he’s up against the likes of Brett Kulak, Logan Stanley, and Carson Soucy. There is no doubt that he has received a raise, but it may not come from the Penguins.

Penguins president of hockey and general manager Kyle Dubas has made it clear that his goal is to move Pittsburgh closer to becoming a serious Stanley Cup contender this offseason. Shea provided reliable depth this season at a difficult position to fill. However, the Penguins may not be willing to give him the money or time he will likely want in a new contract. Dubas has gotten smarter with the contracts he hands out starting in 2023 when he signed Ryan Graves and Tristan Jarry to long-term deals. Aside from the entry-level contracts, Dubas has given everyone except Blake Lizotte one- or two-year deals through 2023.

Dubas’ current defense is on the wrong side of 30, and there’s no doubt he needs to bring in some young, fresh talent next season. The Penguins know from experience that they cannot be successful without a strong defense. They know what they have in Shea, so are they going to take a risk and let him go for free to bring in someone new?