The NHL has consistently been an in and out for coaches and General Managers alike. If you are not doing the job to the ability the team wants, you’re out- no questions asked. In this market there exists no loyalty whatsoever, it is a business and is run as such. Enter: Ray Shero into this equation. Since 2006 he has been a constant in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, making deals no one thought was possible and even deals sometimes fans did not understand. He has quietly continued on a path of being one of the most well respected General Managers in the league, but has only recently began to receive the credit he deserves.
Summer 2012 was not a particularly great one for Penguins fans and sadly Ray Shero was blamed mainly for the inability to acquire Zach Parise. Ironically, what Pens fans did not realize was that their organization would be on the other end of the trade lottery a few months later, cashing in largely.
Trade deadline occurred in a pretty typical fashion, a few trades here and there, nothing too major until the end. On March 24, 2013 Ray Shero finalized a deal with the Dallas Stars that sent Brenden Morrow and a 2013 3rd round pick to Pittsburgh (as a result of him waiving his no-trade clause) and sent Joe Morrow and a 2013 5th round pick to Dallas. While this trade might have surprised people a small amount, I do not think anyone was completely shocked.
Trade deadline occurred in a pretty typical fashion, a few trades here and there, nothing too major until the end. On March 24, 2013 Ray Shero finalized a deal with the Dallas Stars that sent Brenden Morrow and a 2013 3rd round pick to Pittsburgh (as a result of him waiving his no-trade clause) and sent Joe Morrow and a 2013 5th round pick to Dallas. While this trade might have surprised people a small amount, I do not think anyone was completely shocked.
Some fans were angry that Joe Morrow was gone but you have to give to get and in the league this year, most teams were able to demand much more than what Ray Shero gave up. Morrow has more than been worth his value so far in Pittsburgh adding 9 points in 11 games and a lot of veteran presence in a locker-room full of young talent. Morrow proved his worth in his fighting ability when he recently fought P.K. Subban and famously uttered “You’ve got five minutes to think about what I’m going to do from you” from the penalty box while pointing up the scoreboard.
On March 26, 2013 Shero somehow managed to make another valuable trade for the Penguins and added Douglas Murray, a grit defense-man to the roster for two 2nd round draft picks. This move made a lot of sense for this team. While the Pens have a large amount of talent on defense, mainly Kris Letang, they do lack a gritty, hard hitting player and Murray has thus far more than made up for it. I do not think any Pens fans will forget the fact that he fixed his hair before punching someone in the face. What a classic.
Then there was the event that left the hockey world stunned. On March 28, 2013 Ray Shero managed to get Jarome Iginla for Kenneth Agostino, Ben Hanowski and a conditional first-round pick in 2013. To Iginla’s credit he did back Feaster into a corner when he refused to waive his no-trade clause for anyone but Pittsburgh, but come on- A late first rounder and two players that may or may not make it for Jarome Iginla?
It still shocks me and in fact, if it does not shock you please make sure you have a pulse. It was actually almost unfair that he was able to do that, but thanks to the off year in terms of caps as a result of the lock-out Shero saw an opportunity and went for it.
On April 3, 2013 Shero somehow managed to do it again, when Pens fans thought he was done. He continued his assault on the trade deadline by picking up Jussi Jokinen for a conditional 6th or 7th round pick in the 2013 draft. He has had an immediate impact on the Pens tallying 8 points in 6 games.
The Iginla trade was the moment when the league had to take a second and consider what Ray Shero had just done. It was the moment when no one could ignore his ridiculous ability to make the most impossible trades and finally gave him the respect he has been demanding for years. The reality is though that the Jokinen, Morrow, Iginla, and Murray trades have simply added to a long list of great trades he has made. So next time Pens fans have an issue with something Shero does, they simply need to remember #InSheroWeTrust
Written by Beth M.
On March 26, 2013 Shero somehow managed to make another valuable trade for the Penguins and added Douglas Murray, a grit defense-man to the roster for two 2nd round draft picks. This move made a lot of sense for this team. While the Pens have a large amount of talent on defense, mainly Kris Letang, they do lack a gritty, hard hitting player and Murray has thus far more than made up for it. I do not think any Pens fans will forget the fact that he fixed his hair before punching someone in the face. What a classic.
Then there was the event that left the hockey world stunned. On March 28, 2013 Ray Shero managed to get Jarome Iginla for Kenneth Agostino, Ben Hanowski and a conditional first-round pick in 2013. To Iginla’s credit he did back Feaster into a corner when he refused to waive his no-trade clause for anyone but Pittsburgh, but come on- A late first rounder and two players that may or may not make it for Jarome Iginla?
It still shocks me and in fact, if it does not shock you please make sure you have a pulse. It was actually almost unfair that he was able to do that, but thanks to the off year in terms of caps as a result of the lock-out Shero saw an opportunity and went for it.
On April 3, 2013 Shero somehow managed to do it again, when Pens fans thought he was done. He continued his assault on the trade deadline by picking up Jussi Jokinen for a conditional 6th or 7th round pick in the 2013 draft. He has had an immediate impact on the Pens tallying 8 points in 6 games.
The Iginla trade was the moment when the league had to take a second and consider what Ray Shero had just done. It was the moment when no one could ignore his ridiculous ability to make the most impossible trades and finally gave him the respect he has been demanding for years. The reality is though that the Jokinen, Morrow, Iginla, and Murray trades have simply added to a long list of great trades he has made. So next time Pens fans have an issue with something Shero does, they simply need to remember #InSheroWeTrust
Written by Beth M.
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