(Photo taken by Washington Capitals)
By Jake Ricker
The 2023-2024 Tampa Bay Lightning are going to look different, with the exit of some key pieces like Alex Killorn, who was instrumental in each of the Lightning’s run to the Cup Finals in the 2020s. However, Julien BriseBois quickly got to work this offseason and brought in some new players that could make a huge impact for the Bolts heading into next season.
Enter Conor Sheary.
Experience
At 31 years old, Sheary has been in the NHL for eight years and made the postseason in six of them. He won back-to-back Stanley Cups in his first two years in the league with the Penguins, putting up six goals and 17 points in 45 playoff games across those two years. While the Lightning still have a lot of veteran players of their own, it's always good to bring in some new blood that knows what it takes to win. The Lightning have been doing this for almost the entirety of the Yzerman/BriseBois era, whether it was Eric Brewer in 2011, Brian Boyle in 2015, or Pat Maroon in 2020.
Playing with superstars
Probably the biggest draw for Sheary is his experience with superstars. When playing with the Penguins, Sheary played with none other than Sidney Crosby. Being able to play with a top-tier player, it's no surprise that Sheary put up an impressive 23 goals and 30 assists for a total of 53 points in his first full season. While his production did dip in the next year, he still was able to put up 30 points.
After playing with the Buffalo Sabres for parts of two seasons, and having a short stint back in Pittsburgh during the 2020 season and playoffs, he then went to sign with the Washington Capitals. It was with the Capitals, and superstar Alex Ovechkin, that Sheary’s production again increased, putting up 37 and 43 points in the last two years.
Sheary has proven he can play well with top NHL talent, and there’s plenty of it to go around here in Tampa. While it is unknown who Sheary will play with, there's a good chance it would be with players such as Kucherov, Point, or Stamkos giving him a great chance to again put up some great numbers.
Pure talent
Sheary has certainly benefited from having some great teammates, but he also has great hockey IQ. A great example is this goal he scored against the Islanders last season. In what starts out as just a puck battle along the boards Sheary positions himself in the slot and then sends a beautiful backhand shot into the net to tie the game at one.
Whether it's putting himself in a great spot or just getting the puck on the net Sheary has some great hockey IQ that not only helps him but his teammates as well. And no he isn't as good as some of the guys he has played alongside but is a solid player that can consistently make good plays.
2023 Outlook
It’s always hard to change teams whether it's coming over at the trade deadline or signing in FA. Some players quickly flourish in their new home, like Nick Paul, and some take some time to settle in, like Brandon Hagel.
With that said, Sheary is a great candidate to be the Lightning's breakout star this year. Playing along with either Stamkos or Kucherov, Sheary could easily put up close to 20 goals and maybe even break the 40-point mark. Even if he doesn't hit these numbers, look for Sheary to be a solid addition to the Lightning lineup as they look to get back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2024.
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