Sheahan delivering mixed signals so far
Penguins, those numbers have improved to 51.19, 10.8, 5.0 and 2.1. That’s a huge possession swing (plus 5.05 percent), an increase of 1.5 shot attempts and an addition half-scoring/high-danger chance per game played.
“It would be nice to contribute on the scoresheet, but I think I’m getting chances,” Sheahan said. “It’s still early in the season.”
• Sheahan’s numbers also show a drastic improvement from his eight games in Detroit at the beginning of this season. In fact, they paint the picture of a player who probably knew he was getting traded.
With the Red Wings, Sheahan contributed to a shot share of 48.21 percent while averaging 6.8 shot attempts, 3.1 scoring chances and 1.5 high-danger chances per game.
By surrounding him with such wingers as Carl Hagelin, Patric Hornqvist, Jake Guentzel, Phil Kessel and Bryan Rust, the Penguins have seemingly pumped some offensive life into Sheahan. They simply haven’t gotten a goal out of him.
“Riley’s played some good hockey for us,” Sullivan said.
“He’s a good, solid, twoway player. He’s had some scoring chances on the offensive side. I think he’s helped set up some scoring chances.
“If there was a little more finish there, I think that would be great for us as far as helping us score some goals.”
It would also be prudent to remember that, in those eight games, the Penguins have scored 15 goals (1.9 average) with seven coming during five-on-five play — important because Sheahan doesn’t see any power-play time.
Meanwhile, Sheahan has been on the ice for one fiveon-five goal against. He also has won 54.2 percent of his faceoffs and logged 2:39 per game — most among forwards — on a penalty kill that has been successful 87 percent of the time he has been here.
“We like his defensive conscience,” Sullivan said. “He’s really helped us on the penalty kill. He’s a pretty good faceoff guy. He has good size. When he defends against other teams’ top lines, he has the ability to lean on people down low.”
The penalty-killing aspect of Sheahan’s game, however, deserves some special attention. And it might be a situation worth monitoring in the coming weeks or months.
You could argue that, after averaging just 10 seconds of penalty-killing time in Detroit this season, Sheahan’s larger role has been fine; that 87 percent team success rate, with Sheahan squarely in the rotation, is excellent.
But dig deeper, and it’s not nearly as pretty.
Sheahan has been on the ice for 11 high-danger scoring chances against in 21:16 of short-handed ice time with the Penguins, one fewer than Kris Letang has been on the ice for in 53:25. Different positions, yes, but still . . .
Sheahan also has been on for all three power-play goals the Penguins have allowed in those eight games.
It’s fair to wait and see at this point, believing it could be too small of a sample size and unfair to pin penaltykilling troubles on one guy. Also worth noting is Sheahan’s enthusiasm for killing penalties.
“It’s been fun to get back into that role,” Sheahan said. “When you can be on the kill, it’s something you take pride in. It’s something that can build momentum for the team.
“If you have a strong PK, it can help win games, especially with the NHL right now. It’s definitely fun.”
The elongated road trip afforded Sheahan the chance to get better acquainted with his new teammates, through hotel life and team dinners. He thinks he’s close to nailing down a more permanent living situation, too.
Could a goal come next? Nobody, Sheahan included, would complain, that’s for sure.
“He’s been playing well, and he’s playing hard at both ends of the ice,” said fellow Notre Dame product Rust.
“He’s getting his chances. He’s helped create chances for guys he’s been on the ice with.
“Like a lot of guys right now, I think it’s kind of a matter of time until pucks start going in the net.”