The New York Rangers entered last season lacking a crucial element: a reliable veteran presence who could stabilize the team during difficult times and provide additional support when things were going well. Before J.T. Miller’s arrival, that role had most recently been filled by Blake Wheeler. Now Conor Sheary, currently on a PTO, has the opportunity to step into that role.
Head coach Mike Sullivan has already spoken highly of Sheary, and the stats back it up. During limited preseason action, the Rangers have controlled expected goal share and shot attempts with Sheary on the ice at five-on-five. He has played with energy, produced offensively, and demonstrated that he still possesses NHL-quality skills.
This should not come as a surprise, given his background. Undrafted out of UMass Amherst, Conor Sheary carved out his career the hard way, working his way through the AHL before breaking into the NHL with Pittsburgh. It didn’t take long for him to make an impact: He scored his first NHL goal against Tuukka Rask, netted his first playoff goal against Henrik Lundqvist, and famously scored the overtime winner in the 2016 Stanley Cup Final against San Jose.
Sheary spent two full seasons skating alongside Sidney Crosby, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups and posting a career-best 53-point campaign in 2016-17. He then had stints in Buffalo, Washington, and Tampa Bay, consistently finding ways to contribute as a versatile middle-six winger.
However, the last two seasons proved challenging for him. After signing a three-year contract with the Lightning in 2023, Conor Sheary missed time due to a broken hand and later found himself buried on the depth chart. By last year, he was primarily playing in the AHL with Syracuse, where he produced well but was frustrated by the lack of opportunity. He ultimately decided to walk away from the final year of his contract, giving up $1.5 million, to find a better fit.
“I just knew I needed to get out of there,” Sheary stated. “I’ve had a long career and made more money than I ever thought I would. The experiences and chances to win in the NHL are likely numbered, so I wanted to give myself the best opportunity to get back there.”
In his view, that opportunity lies with the Rangers. Conor Sheary reportedly turned down a guaranteed contract from another team to reunite with Sullivan, who had previously coached him in Pittsburgh, and to take a chance on a New York team seeking depth.
So far, the decision looks promising. Sheary scored in the Rangers’ preseason opener against New Jersey, then added two assists and four shots against the Islanders. Beyond his contributions, he has appeared rejuvenated, playing responsibly, pushing the pace, and providing the kind of veteran presence the Rangers have lacked in recent years.
“I just want to prove myself; I have nothing to lose,” Sheary said. “I’d love to earn a contract from this opportunity. I’m coming into a situation where I have familiarity with the coaching staff, and I’ve played against them for a long time. Hopefully, some of the management has seen me play. I just want to prove to myself that I can still play and help this team win.”
Whether Conor Sheary earns a third-line winger role or takes on a position as the 13th forward, his impact could be significant. He is versatile enough to move up and down the lineup, experienced enough to stabilize young players, and battle-tested enough to thrive in high-pressure moments.
For a Rangers team that has occasionally lacked that kind of ‘glue guy’, Conor Sheary represents more than just a roster filler. He could be the subtle but important addition that helps transform the Blueshirts’ inconsistencies into something more sustainable.