Pittsburgh Penguins place defenseman Ryan Shea on waivers

The 27-year-old defenseman has played most of his four-year professional career in the American Hockey League. After being drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL Draft (No. 121 overall), Shea signed with the Dallas Stars in 2020. 

Shea was an excellent AHL player, racking up 10 goals and 56 assists in three seasons with the Texas Stars, most of which came in his two full seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23. He then signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with Pittsburgh in the summer. 

He scored his first career goal minutes into a 4-1 win against the Washington Capitals on April 4. 

In 22 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this season, the Milton, Massachusetts native recorded two goals and four assists. 

Shea played four seasons of college hockey at Northeastern University in Hockey East. He served as captain of the Huskies in his senior season and finished with 78 points in 149 collegiate games.

The Penguins wrapped up their season with a 5-4 loss at the New York Islanders. Pittsburgh was eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff contention on Tuesday when the Capitals defeated the Philadelphia Flyers to clinch the second wild-card spot. Pittsburgh finished three points out of a playoff spot with a 38-32-12 record. 

Up until last season, the Penguins had made the postseason 16 straight times. However, they have lost in the first or second round in each season since winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2015-16 and 2016-17.