Conor Sheary: The roughest of diamonds

Conor Sheary wasn't expected to be an effective NHL player but he has confounded those critics to become a key part of the Penguins top six. Many people have criticised players like him in the past for being too small and not being strong enough claiming they aren't the "typical" hockey player. What Sheary lacks for in size he more than makes up for in skill.

Finding a competent winger for Crosby has been an issue for the  Penguins for the past few seasons. Over the past five years Crosby has spent time with the likes of Chris Kunitz,  Pascal Dupuis, David Perron and James Neal. With those players themselves being the most common.

Two of those, Kunitz and Dupuis have fallen off the cliff offensively and had to retire through health issues respectively. David Perron was started his Pittsburgh career with 21 points in his first 31 games but his production dried up with 17 points in the following 67 games. He showed a lack of compete and was traded after poor games against the Hurricanes and Lightning. James Neal tended to only play on the first line through injuries to other players.

Sheary has been given an opportunity by Sullivan and has taken it with open arms, he struggled offensively a little with 10 points in his first 44 games but this season he has played incredibly strongly, as if a league veteran. Playing with Crosby will no doubt have rubbed of on him and Crosby is the type of person to help mentor and train a younger player. We saw some of that in the play-offs on THAT OT Goal against the Lightning.

Sheary isn't just excelling at the offensive side of things either, he is a smart player who is adept at puck possession, he is listed 8th on the team in CF% with players over 100 minutes TOI with 52.95%. 55% and above is considered elite so to be that close is great to see. Part of his good offensive awareness and play could be down to Sullivan's usage, deploying him in the offensive zone 62.3% of the time. That is high, even for a forward.

Whatever Sheary is doing, is working. He is playing like a veteran in the league with the understanding to go with it. Having someone like him gives the team great attacking options and depth as he can be utilised in the future on any line needed. Watching Sheary going forward will be fun and there are two players, Guentzel and Sprong who are looking to follow him.