In the tumultuous world of hockey management, Ray Shero’s reign as Penguins General Manager had its highs, but also some crushing lows. Let’s take a deep dive into the five moves that tarnished his legacy in the Steel City.
Back in 2013, the Penguins were flying high, looking like the team to beat in the NHL. To solidify their roster, Shero made a bold move by bringing in future Hall of Famer, Jarome Iginla, from the Calgary Flames. The price was steep – a first-round pick and two prospects. But the potential payoff seemed worth it at the time. However, Iginla failed to find his groove in Pittsburgh, mainly due to being played out of position. This misstep ultimately led to a disappointing end in the Eastern Conference Finals, with Iginla departing in free agency, leaving the Penguins with little to show for the investment.
In a move driven more by sentimentality than logic, Shero brought back Stanley Cup-winning defenseman Rob Scuderi in 2013 on a hefty four-year deal. Unfortunately, the aging Scuderi was a shadow of his former self, struggling to keep up with the pace of the evolving league. His hefty cap hit only compounded the issue, forcing the Penguins to eventually offload him to the Blackhawks at a cost. This move not only weakened the team defensively but also limited their flexibility in the salary-cap era.
Another blunder came in the form of Zybnek Michalek’s signing in 2010. The five-year, $20 million deal for the defenseman proved to be a costly mistake, as Michalek failed to live up to expectations. And let’s not forget the ill-fated trade for Douglas Murray in 2013, which saw two second-round picks sent to the Sharks for a physical presence that couldn’t keep up with the Penguins’ style of play. Both moves highlighted Shero’s tendency to overpay for underwhelming results.
As we reflect on Ray Shero’s tenure in Pittsburgh, it’s clear that while he had his successes, his five worst moves as General Manager ultimately sealed his fate. The lessons learned from these missteps are a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the hockey world, where one wrong move can have lasting consequences. In the end, it was Shero’s inability to adapt and make the right choices that led to his downfall. Let this serve as a cautionary tale for future GMs – in hockey, as in life, the decisions you make can make or break you.
