Early 2022 predictions for Conor Sheary

We’re getting closer to the end of early Washington Capitals player predictions. Today we’ll take a look at Conor Sheary who’s a speedy winger that the Caps snatched up during the 2020 offseason. He enters his third season with the Caps.

Sheary is a speedy winger and he used to give the Capitals headaches when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. In his first season with he Caps he had 14 goals and eight assists for 22 points in what was a pandemic shortened season.

Last season in a full 82 game schedule, Sheary played in 71 games and scored 19 goals while adding 24 assists for 43 points. He’s an X factor on the bottom six and could even move up to the top six if another injury were to occur.

Sadly injuries are a part of the game. It’s bad enough being without Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson or Carl Hagelin, but things could always get worse. And if worse comes to worse, Sheary can play on the top six.

I think Sheary will have a good regular season but the question is will he have a good season overall? Having a good season overall means showing up in the playoffs too.

During the Pittsburgh Penguins two straight Stanley Cups, Sheary had a combined six goals. In just two playoff seasons with the Caps, Sheary only has one goal and that didn’t come last season but the season before that.

Now isn’t the time for playoff predictions. We don’t know how tough the Metropolitan Division really is but we know on paper it’s one of the toughest divisions in hockey. So we’ll keep this prediction for how he’ll do in the regular season.

I think this is Sheary’s first 20 goal season with the Caps. He just turned 30 and is still in the thick of his prime. He’ll have 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 points which is a solid third season with the Caps for Sheary. The question is will he step up in the playoffs like he did in Pittsburgh?