When you think of the Sidney Crosby-era Pittsburgh Penguins, it’s impossible not to think about Ray Shero. His influence on this storied franchise is monumental, and it’s with heavy hearts that we acknowledge his passing at the age of 42.
Shero's journey with the Penguins began in 2006, and right from the jump, his impact was felt. In his debut draft season, he nabbed Jordan Staal with the second overall pick, joining forces with existing talents like Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Marc-Andre Fleury. It was a masterstroke of team-building that transformed a team once riddled with lottery picks into a serious playoff contender in just one season.
The momentum only grew from there. In their sophomore season under Shero's management, the Penguins were making waves in the Eastern Conference as the NHL trade deadline loomed.
Shero, always the strategic mastermind, persuaded ownership to fast-track the team's "five-year plan." With the backing of then-majority owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle, Shero made the pivotal trade for Marian Hossa, the hottest commodity on the market.
This move catapulted the Penguins straight to the Stanley Cup Final and set a new bar for the team’s aspirations going forward.
That big swing paid off in spades. A year later, in 2009, Shero’s Penguins hoisted the Stanley Cup.
While this was Shero’s sole championship with the team, the groundwork he laid—particularly with his audacious Hossa trade—established the Penguins as perennial contenders. The Penguins’ go-for-broke philosophy became their signature, making them a blueprint for success in the NHL for nearly two decades.
Shero had an eye for balancing youthful exuberance with seasoned wisdom on the ice. He brought in veterans like Gary Roberts, Bill Guerin, Chris Kunitz, Pascal Dupuis, and Petr Sykora to bolster a young core. This blend proved vital in not only developing a winning attitude but also fostering a competitive farm system with championship ambitions in the AHL and ECHL.
Though his tenure with the Penguins ended in 2014, Shero's fingerprints are all over the franchise’s lasting success, a testament to his talent as a general manager. He moved on to roles with the New Jersey Devils and Minnesota Wild, but his legacy in Pittsburgh endures.
Ray Shero’s name is forever intertwined with the glory of the Crosby-era Penguins. Even in passing, his contributions to Pittsburgh’s hockey heritage and the sport itself will continue to resonate profoundly.
