Ryan Shea is quietly delivering for the Oilers

Four straight wins have given Edmonton Oilers fans plenty to be optimistic about, even if it hasn’t always been pretty.

Between offensive outbursts and record-breaking performances, defensive lapses, and injuries, there’s been no shortage of stories to follow. Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard’s hot starts have grabbed the lion’s share of the attention – and rightfully so. However, that has taken away from some other players who have had really strong starts too. Ryan Shea has fit right in with the Oilers and is off to an excellent start to the season.

The Oilers picked up Shea through free agency this summer, signing him to a five-year, $20-million contract on July 1. Oilers’ GM Stan Bowman drafted Shea 121st overall in 2015 while in Chicago, so he was familiar with what Shea could bring to the table. Coming out of college, Shea was touted as an offensive-minded, puck-moving defenceman who put up nearly a point per game in his final year at Northeastern. Interestingly, scouts noted his defensive game needed work and that he needed to build up his strength to succeed at the professional level.

Shea’s route to the NHL was a long and winding one. He didn’t sign a contract with Chicago and, after finishing college, ended up with the Dallas Stars, where he spent two seasons with their AHL affiliate. Shea made his NHL debut at 26 years old, breaking in with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2023. After bouncing between the big club and the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins for a couple of seasons, Shea earned a permanent NHL job last season, playing 80 games and finishing with 35 points. Those totals earned him a substantial raise from his previous deal and some extra term when he signed with the Oilers.

Hearing that the Oilers committed to a player with only one full NHL season under his belt might have made some nervous. Others may not have known who Shea was. He wasn’t a 20-year-old unproven talent; however, he was signed as a six-year pro, and his dependable, straightforward style of play didn’t leave much potential downside.  Shea ultimately was brought in to try and fill Darnell Nurse’s spot in the lineup. Say what you want about Nurse’s time in Edmonton, but to echo Bob Stauffer, he was a great Oiler who left some big shoes to fill.

Ryan Shea has picked up where he left off last season, delivering steady and predictable performances so far this year. He has been dependable in the defensive zone and has chipped in offensively as well, exactly what the Oilers were hoping for. In the first five games of the year, Shea has a goal and three assists, all coming at even strength. He also appears to have earned the trust of the Oilers’ coaching staff as he sits third on the team in average time on ice, behind only Evan Bouchard and Connor McDavid. He also leads the team in shifts with 165, 16 more than any other player on the roster. Shea’s ability to play in all scenarios is the reason for this, as he has gotten time on the second power play unit, as well as on the penalty kill. Many consider the offence and PP time a bonus – if Shea is sound defensively and can eat up minutes at 5-on-5, he’ll make a big difference on the Oilers’ back end.

The advanced stats from Natural Stat Trick also suggest that he has held up his end of the bargain so far. Shea’s expected goals for percentage (xGF%) sits at 53.35 per cent so far this year, up a couple of points from last season and ahead of the team average so far this season. The standout statistic is his expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60), which is at 1.83 through five games, nearly a full goal lower than last season. Considering where he plays in the lineup and that he sees some of the opposition’s better offensive players, the early results show that Shea has been excellent at limiting quality scoring chances against. Shea’s goals for and goals against per 60 minutes (GF/60 and GA/60) are both better than the team average. He’s also been on the ice for more high-danger scoring chances for than against, suggesting that the Oilers are generating more than they’re giving up with Shea on the ice.

The eye test sometimes gets overlooked with all of the numbers we have available today, and Shea has been equally impressive on that front. He lost a battle along the boards in OT of the first game that ultimately led to Paul Cotter’s winning goal. Since then, Shea’s noticeable shifts have included stifling attacks, knocking down opposition passes, and quick transitions that have led to chances and goals. He also found a nice seam down the middle of the offensive zone for his first goal of the season in the Oilers’ 9-7 win against the Canucks two nights after his tough finish to the opener. There are also times when he isn’t noticeable on the ice. And that’s mostly a good thing. It usually means he’s in position, not overexposed, and is making smart, simple plays. The numbers and eye test tell us that his game has come a long way from when scouts questioned his defensive ability and strength.

It might seem strange to think that a 29-year-old still has plenty of room to develop; however, that could very well be the case for Shea. Despite his age, he’s still relatively early in his NHL career, and that suggests his best hockey is still ahead of him. If his performance so far this season is any indication, he has the tools to continue to establish himself as a fixture on the Oilers’ blueline and play an important role in the team’s success this season.