One of Conor Sheary's goals was accomplished Sunday when he signed a three-year, $9 million contract extension.
Another remains.
For as much as Sheary is thrilled for the biggest payday of his NHL career, he's also intent on proving that his late-season slump was a one-time deal.
"Coming off of last season, I don't want to have a slump and have everyone think it was a one-time thing," Sheary said. "I want to be consistent in my play. I want to make sure that I bring the effort and energy to help the team win."
What Sheary is referring to involved roughly the first 15 postseason games, when Sheary recorded just three assists and was a minus-8. He lost his spot on Sidney Crosby's wing, then was a healthy scratch _ all while looking seriously lost at times.
It wasn't an injury issue, Sheary insisted. The biggest part was mental, specifically as it related to his confidence.
"I think I had the wrong mindset," Sheary said. "I went into games thinking I was going to produce, then I didn't and was getting down on myself.
"It's pretty easy to lose your confidence that way."
Sheary rebounded with two goals and four points in his final seven playoff contests, but that slump likely complicated Sheary's contract situation. Was he really the player who slumped or the one who produced 23 goals, 53 points and a plus-24 rating in 61 regular-season games?
It resulted in Sheary's camp filing for arbitration, although the Aug. 4 hearing date never came.
And that's a good thing, as far as Sheary's concerned.
"I haven't heard many good things about what comes of that," Sheary said of arbitration. "There can be hard feelings because you're trying to prove one side or the other. I was glad that we were able to avoid that."
As for the deal itself, Sheary called it "a nice cushion for myself and my family."
"I think I was looking for term more than anything," Sheary added. "I think we agreed to a pretty good contract for myself and the team. I'm excited."
With both Sheary and Brian Dumoulin avoiding arbitration, this is pretty much how this whole thing is supposed to work.
Get the player young. Develop him. Have him produce at the NHL level. Then pay him fair, market value.
"That's what you hope for," general manager Jim Rutherford said. "If you're not paying or keeping a player, then you're disappointed in him and you're not projecting a good future."
Sheary and Dumoulin aren't the only ones, either.
Matt Murray signed his first big extension in October 2016, while Bryan Rust is due a significant pay increase after next year. All four were teammates _ and close _ with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
"When you're in Wilkes-Barre, you see all the guys in Pittsburgh and the success they have and the contracts they sign," Sheary said. "You never really think that's going to be you or your teammates.
"To have all of us go through it, and all of us get pretty good deals, it's exciting to see."
In 105 career regular-season games, Sheary, a 25-year-old native of Winchester, Mass., has 30 goals and 63 points.
This past season, Sheary's 3.01 points/60 mark during five-on-five play was the best of anyone who saw enough ice time to qualify.
Sheary's best work came on a line with Crosby and Jake Guentzel _ Sid and the Kids. During one particular week (ending Jan. 22), Sheary produced six goals and nine points.
"There was a three- or four-week period there that Sid, Jake and Conor were really special," Rutherford said. "They were really good together."
Why was that?
"I think it's the style of play that Sid likes _ that fast game and quick plays," Sheary said. "I think both of us can play that game with him. I think he likes that, too."
Sheary and his fiancee have been living on the beach, routinely taking her parents' boat out on the water. He's gotten out on the golf course a few times, too.
Finalizing the contract, Sheary said, has his juices pumped for the upcoming season, especially when it comes to putting that slump behind him once and for all.
"You want to stay consistent and get better in areas that you thought maybe were weak last year," Sheary said. "I want to make sure that I bring the effort and energy to help the team win. Hopefully we can have another successful season."
