Sheary skated in just five games with the Lightning last season and did not come out of the season with any points. He skated most of the season with the Syracuse Crunch.
The Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday placed veteran forward Conor Sheary on unconditional wiavers. Sheary, 33, had one year left of his contract and was set to make another $2 million in 2025-26, however, after spending the majority of his 2024-25 season in the minors, Sheary asked for his contract to be terminated so he can become an unrestricted free agent.
Sheary has been with Tampa Bay the last two seasons, combining for four goals in 62 games, 11 assists, and 15 total points. He was -3 in 2023-24 and -2 in 2024-25. He played in just five games with the Lightning last season, spending the majority of the year with the Syracuse Crunch.
With the Crunch had 20 goals and 41 assists in 59 games skated. This was the first season Sheary had been sent down to the AHL since 2015-16. As a result, the veteran is setting sail with his sights set on wanting a fresh start and hopes to find a team where he can make his way back up to NHL games.
Prior to coming to the Lightning, Sheary spent three seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he won two Stanley Cup Championships; he also spent two years with the Buffalo Sabres before returning to Pittsburgh for one year, moved to Washington and played three seasons with the Capitals before then going to Florida to play for the Lightning. During his time with Buffalo and Washington he had 124 goals and 267 points in 593 career games.
The 5’8”, 182lb veteran from Winchester, Massachusetts has struggled to find his groove in the sunshine state and the sun has officially set on his time in Tampa. If Sheary goes unclaimed prior to Tuesday, July 1, his contract with the Lightning will be terminated and he will officially become an unrestricted free agent as the signing period opens for the National Hockey League.
