Yesterday, the Tampa Bay Lightning placed ten-year veteran Conor Sheary on unconditional waivers. Today, he cleared, meaning that the two sides were mutually agreeing to terminate his contract. With just five NHL appearances last season. He spent most of his time in the AHL. Why you may ask? It was due to the team’s salary cap constraints. The 33‑year‑old winger, who was entering the final year of his three‑year deal (carrying a $2 million cap hit), sees his Tampa tenure end, as the Lightning free up room under the cap. Tampa enters a challenging period with around $3.5 million in cap space.
Two-Time Champion With the Pittsburgh Penguins
A two‑time Stanley Cup champion with Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017, Sheary arrived in Tampa Bay in July 2023 as a seasoned scorer. Over 62 games with the Lightning, he tallied four goals and 15 points. It was a modest return for a forward, but modest doesn’t pay the bills. He had previously suited up for Buffalo and Washington, registering in total 124 goals and 267 points across 593 career NHL contests.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and multiple reports, Sheary requested the contract termination, keen to pursue better opportunities rather than remain in Syracuse. If he clears waivers, he’ll hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent. Now, it is just in time for the NHL’s July 1 signing period, which hits towns tomorrow. Stay tuned with us here at Last Word On Hockey for the latest.
Low Salary Cap Constraints
This move to put Conor Sheary on waivers aligns with Tampa Bay’s broader offseason strategy: shedding veteran cap hits to make space for new signings and cap flexibility following their recent draft picks and roster moves. For Sheary, this marks a crossroads: hunting for a fresh NHL chance or recommitting to the AHL ranks.
Main Photo Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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