Former Penguin and Stanley Cup Champion Has Contract Terminated By Rival NHL Team

A former Stanley Cup champion is looking for a new team to play for after his contract was recently terminated.

Forward Conor Sheary, who won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in both 2016 and 2017, has had the final year of his contract terminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Sheary was never drafted into the NHL, signing a 2-year contract with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate of the Penguins in 2015.

He'd eventually play a key role in helping the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2016, scoring the OT GWG in Game 2 against the San Jose Sharks with a quick wrist shot over the glove hand of goaltender Martin Jones.

After helping the Penguins repeat as Stanley Cup champions in 2017 over the Nashville Predators, he signed a 3-year contract with an AAV (average annual value) of $3 million.

But Pittsburgh would eventually trade him along with Matt Hunwick to the Buffalo Sabres for a conditional 4th round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

After playing a season and a half with the Sabres, he was re-acquired by the Penguins in 2020. He's also played for the Washington Capitals and most recently the Lightning.

In 593 career NHL games, Sheary has 267 points (124G, 143A).