Tampa Bay Lightning Shockingly Send Former Two Time Stanley Cup Champion to Waivers

Through six games this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning sit at 4-2-0, just one point off the top of the Atlantic Division standings, and after an off-season of change, things appear to be gelling quite well. Now however, they've made a shocking move, as the team have placed veteran Conor Sheary on waivers after going scoreless in three games this season playing in the team's bottom-six.

While Sheary has been a proven competitor at the NHL level, he slowed down significantly last year for Tampa Bay, and was always going to be fighting for ice time this season. Given the young names like Conor Geekie coming through the organization, Sheary has been shifted down the lineup to the fourth line, and now, with a $2 million salary per season that carries through to the end of next season, he may now end up in the AHL.

The 32-year old Sheary began his career in Pittsburgh almost a decade ago, with the two-time Stanley Cup winner tallying a solid 267 points in 561 career games, but after just 15 points a season ago, it's becoming clear that he's slowing down. This didn't stop Tampa Bay from giving him a three-year, $2 million AAV deal in the summer of 2023, and now, they are on the hook for his contract over the next two seasons, and while he's been placed on waivers, he's likely to remain in the organization as a solid depth piece.

After no new players were placed on waivers yesterday, it's becoming clear that teams and their rosters are settled in for the upcoming season, and beyond a surprise or two like this one, we shouldn't be seeing too much activity moving forward.