CRANBERRY, Pa. -- Riley Sheahan says he never wanted to leave Pittsburgh. Safe to say he's more than happy to have signed a one-year, $2.1 million contract with the Penguins on Wednesday.
With Sheahan back in the mix, the Penguins retain what they believe to be their greatest strategic advantage: Their strength down the middle.
It mattered little to him that he's the last center on the depth chart behind Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Derick Brassard. The way Sheahan sees it, there's plenty of minutes for everyone as each has a role to play.
"Those three guys are obviously great players in the league," he told DKPittsburghSports.com on Wednesday night. "I think there's opportunity there for a guy that fits my role. I can take advantage of the penalty killing time and I think a lot of other teams against us will try to match against those three centermen. Might give me some opportunity, and my linemates, to have some fun out there and capitalize on some offense where other teams might not expect it."
Acquired last October from Detroit in exchange for Scott Wilson and the Penguins' third-round pick this year, Sheahan overcame a slow start to record 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 73 games last season, while leading the team with a 54.4 faceoff win percentage and 2:41 per game in shorthanded minutes.
The 26-year-old has been spending his off-season in his native Ontario and says he's been working on a few things to improve his game offensively.
"I think just holding on to the puck a little more and taking it to the net and being a little more assertive in the O-zone," he told me. "Defensively, I feel comfortable and embrace that role. But I think having a little more confidence and holding on to the puck and trying to create some more scoring opportunities might help me."
One area the Penguins are looking to improve upon collectively is getting more scoring out of their fourth line. Last year, it was almost non-existent. But the re-signings of Sheahan and fellow restricted free agent Bryan Rust would seem to be 2/3 of a particularly strong fourth line.
"Rusty's a huge part of our team, and obviously he’s important for us on the ice, a great guy in the locker room," Sheahan was telling me of his fellow Notre Dame alum. "I think he can play any position and be a penalty killer, and play on the power play and score some big goals, and comes up big in those big moments. It’s a huge signing for us."
By agreeing to a one-year deal, Sheahan's future could again be uncertain this time next year. He wouldn't say whether he was betting on himself to gain a bigger contract and perhaps a longer term, but he made it clear that Pittsburgh is where he wants to be.
"We just wanted to get this year, this contract, figured out and worry about the other stuff when we have to," he says.
MATT SUNDAY GALLERY
Penguins development camp, UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, June 27, 2018. - MATT SUNDAY / DKPS