After being installed as the Pittsburgh Penguins’ president of hockey operations in June of 2023, Kyle Dubas splurged when the free agent market opened approximately one month later.
The likes of forwards Lars Eller, Noel Acciari and Matt Nieto as well as defenseman Ryan Graves and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic were added as free agents, all receiving lucrative multi-year contracts.
Arguably, the signing from that class of free agents that yielded the highest return was a career minor league defenseman who agreed to a one-year deal worth $775,000, the league minimum.
Three years later, Ryan Shea is poised to potentially cash in for the first — and probably only — time in his career.
Especially after he set career highs in games (80), goals (six) and points (35) during the 2025-26 season.
“I guess it’s a good situation to be in,” Shea said in Cranberry on Friday during the team’s exit interviews. “I felt like the year went better than I expected. I’m excited for it. But I’ve said for a while that I love Pittsburgh, I love the guys here, the culture, management, the coaching staff, and the guys bring it day in and day out. It kind of suits me and the person that I am. I feel like I’m comfortable here.
“Obviously, the future is uncertain, but Pittsburgh has been a great spot for me. It’s been the only spot that’s given me a shot in this league, and it’s worked out. So, I see no reason why I wouldn’t love it here.”
Shea took the scenic route to becoming an everyday defenseman in the NHL.
A fourth-round selection (No. 121) by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015, Shea never signed with that club. Once his NHL rights expired, he signed with the Dallas Stars in 2020 but never played above the American Hockey League (AHL) level with that organization.
After three seasons with the Stars — the Texas Stars of the AHL, to be sure — Shea joined the Penguins and became an NHLer.
But the first two seasons — each under former coach Mike Sullivan — saw him largely be deployed as a seventh defenseman who only found ice time when an incumbent blue liner was absent.
What led to his third season with the Penguins — with coach Dan Muse — being so fruitful?
“The coaching staff had a lot to do with it,” Shea said. “I think last year I was just trying to find my game and get comfortable. Obviously, you come into camp, and you’ve got to be ready to go with the new staff and a lot of new people around you. I wanted to prove something this year that I was more than just that guy who can go in and out of the lineup. I think I did a really good job of doing that, and I’m happy and proud of myself for doing it.
“Obviously, the work never stops and I’m excited for a big summer. I think my confidence was at an all-time high. When I’m playing with confidence, when I have a role on the team, and when the coaches trust me, I think the sky is the limit.”
There aren’t many limits with the 29-year-old’s enthusiasm over being a free agent after a career year.
“My whole career has been on one-year deals,” Shea said. “I’ve kind of been betting on myself pretty much since I got into pro hockey. I have a lot of belief in myself. It’s pretty risky going that route, but last year, when I signed an extension mid-year, I knew what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to be here, and I felt that it was the best spot for my development. It worked out great for me.”
As of Friday, the left-handed Shea indicated he has not had any discussions with Dubas or other members of management about another contract extension.
Regardless of the next direction his career takes, Shea appreciates what joining the Penguins has meant to his career.
“I’ll wait until whenever I hear from them or whatever their direction is,” Shea said. “Either way, my time in Pittsburgh has been nothing but great and I’m happy for every second of it.”