Conor Sheary is getting another chance in the NHL after signing a professional tryout contract (PTO) with the New York Rangers, as reported by the New York Post. This move reunites Sheary with head coach Mike Sullivan, who coached him to two Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Now 33, Sheary became a free agent when the Tampa Bay Lightning terminated the final year of his three-year, $6 million deal following a disappointing tenure. The Rangers now offer him a shot at redemption and a low-risk depth option as they evaluate their forward group.
Sheary struggled to make an impact in Tampa Bay. Despite signing a sizable contract in July 2023, he recorded only 15 points over 57 NHL games and spent most of the 2023–24 season with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, where he posted an impressive 61 points in 59 games. With limited NHL ice time and no points in his final five games, Sheary reportedly requested his release to pursue another opportunity.
In his NHL career, Sheary has played 593 regular-season games, scoring 124 goals and 267 points. His most notable performances came during Pittsburgh’s 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup runs under Sullivan, where he established himself as a dependable middle-six forward. His breakout season in 2016–17 included 23 goals and 53 points—career highs that still stand. In total, Sheary tallied 97 points in 192 games across two stints in Pittsburgh.
With head coach Mike Sullivan recently joining the Rangers on a five-year deal after his departure from Pittsburgh, Sheary’s PTO appears influenced by their successful past together. The Rangers, operating with less than $800,000 in cap space, see the tryout as a no-risk move that could add veteran depth. Sheary could slot into a third-line role or provide experienced insurance in case younger talents like Gabe Perreault aren’t quite ready for full-time NHL duties.
However, Sheary will need to compete with several promising young forwards—including Adam Edstrom, Matt Rempe, Brennan Othmann, and Juuso Parssinen—for a roster spot. While his playoff experience and prior success under Sullivan give him an advantage, he’ll need to demonstrate that he still has the speed and reliability to be an everyday contributor.
Ultimately, his future with the Rangers hinges on his performance in training camp.