2025 Rangers Season Previews: Conor Sheary

This article is part of an ongoing series of Rangers Season Previews, taking a close look at what we can, and should, expect from each member of the 2025-26 New York Rangers. To read other articles in this series, go here.

When the news first broke that Conor Sheary would be joining the New York Rangers on a PTO, no one thought too much of it. On the podcast, Joe and Eric dismissed it out of hand. At the time, all it seemed like was Mike Sullivan bringing in a familiar face to training camp to give him some looks in preseason to help Sheary reach his goal of making it back to the NHL, presumably with another team. Since then, it seems increasingly more likely that not only will he sign a contract with the Rangers but also make the team's opening night roster.

Sheary making the Rangers will likely cost one of the team's prospects a spot on the opening night roster. While in large part due to his preseason struggles, we have already seen Brennan Othmann sent down to the Hartford Wolf Pack while Sheary still remains.

Now the question is: Who else might Conor Sheary be taking a roster spot from?

Previous Performance

Sheary spent the vast majority of last season with the Syracuse Crunch, the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. This was his first time playing in the minors since the 2015-16 season. He was a top contributor for the Crunch, registering 20 goals and 41 assists for 61 points in 59 games played. Those 20 goals and 61 points would be the most of any player on the team, while he also had the second most assists.

Sheary suited up for five games with the Lightning last season, but did not record a point. While Sheary did not get the time in the NHL he desired last season, he did prove that he has value as a veteran presence in the AHL. While it may not be the role he wants, it could be one he fits well in at this stage of his career.

While it has been some time since Sheary last played under Mike Sullivan, it wouldn't feel right to not discuss it some. Sheary was a part of both the Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup championships in 2015-16 and 2016-17. The 2016-17 season would prove to be his best year in the NHL, as he would set career highs in goals, assists, and points. His next season would be his final full season under Sullivan, and he would finish the campaign with 30 points.

During the 2016 playoffs, Sheary showed up in a big way, coming up with four goals and six assists, including the game-winning goal in game two of the Stanley Cup Final.

While some of his best play came under Sullivan, that's now approaching a decade ago, and it would seem that Sheary's best days are behind him.

Expectations

While it made sense at the outset to have little-to-no belief that he would get extended time on the Rangers, that's not how it seems to be shaping up. During his time as head coach of the Penguins, Sullivan has always preferred to lean on veteran players he feels he can trust rather than younger, less experienced players. With somebody like Brett Berard, who is on a two-way contract, competing for a similar spot, it now seems likely the will Rangers send Berard down to the Wolf Pack in favor of keeping Sheary.

If/when Sheary does sign a contract with the Blueshirts, expect it to be a cheap one year, two-way deal. With several players making a case for a spot on the roster, having the flexibility of a two-way deal would go a long way to providing the Rangers roster flexibility. This would also allow the Rangers to have Sheary serve as a veteran leader in Hartford and mentor some of the younger prospects if necessary.

We know that Sheary will play the type of hockey that Mike Sullivan expects from his players, regardless of if that's in New York, Hartford, or elsewhere. He'll bring a strong forecheck, play a full 200-ft game, and get into the dirty areas. This is the style of play general manager Chris Drury and Sullivan want to see, and Sheary can deliver that brand of hockey.

Predictions

All signs point to Sheary starting the season on the third line with Taylor Raddysh and Juuso Parssinen (but still holding out hope that Noah Laba wins the third line center spot). With the top six wingers almost certainly set, and the fourth line assumedly locked in, too, the third line seems to be the most likely spot for Sheary. Even though he seems likely him to start the season with the Rangers and in the lineup, it's unlikely he'll play all 82 games. Sheary last played a full season in 2022-23 with the Washington Capitals, and he has of course only gotten older since then.

Sheary is unlikely to contribute significantly in terms of points. We can expect he'll play somewhere around 50 games for the Rangers this season. In those games, pencil him in for five goals and 11 assists for a total of 16 points. While this point total is nothing to call home about, that is not why you are bringing Sheary in. The primary reason to include him is to add an experienced bottom-six winger who is going to embody the style of play the team's new coach wants to see his players execute.

While Conor Sheary's camp with the Rangers has sparked many conversations, we will soon see what he contributes to the organization.