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Ryan Shea’s ‘different animal’ take on joining Oilers in free agency
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- Ryan Shea’s ‘different animal’ take on joining Oilers in free agency
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The Edmonton Oilers made some big moves in NHL Free Agency this summer. Edmonton reworked its blueline, trading Darnell Nurse to the San Jose Sharks on July 1. In response, the Oilers brought in defenseman Ryan Shea on a five-year contract.
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It was a breakout campaign for Shea in 2025-26. He helped the Pittsburgh Penguins make the Stanley Cup Playoffs again after two seasons away. The 29-year-old played a career high 19 minutes a game, scoring 35 points, also a career high.
This summer saw Shea enter even more uncharted territory. It wasn't his first time being an unrestricted free agent. But it was the first time he was on the market with the potential of landing a multi-year contract. He recently expressed how much it means for him to have the stability of a multi-year deal on a true Stanley Cup contender.
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"This is a whole different animal. You're going to be here for five years, and you have a chance to win the Cup and it's about just getting in there, being a good teammate and performing on the ice, and I'm ready to do that. You're going into a new locker room, so you want to go into camp ready to go and show all the guys and the coaching staff that I'm not messing around," the Oilers defenseman said, via NHL.com.
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Shea is hoping to prove Edmonton's faith correct. They have one goal in mind, and they certainly believe Shea can play a role in getting them to the Stanley Cup. The 29-year-old is slated to make his Edmonton debut when the team begins the 2026-27 campaign on September 29 against the Vancouver Canucks.
Related: Oilers' biggest mistake so far in 2026 NHL free agency
