Ray Shero’s Best Moments As Pens GM

January 31, 2012; Pittsburgh,PA, USA: Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero (left) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby at a press conference to update the status of Crosby Credit: USA Today Sports

Ray Shero has proven time and time again that he isn’t afraid to stick to his gut — even when facing criticism.

He has proven that to be the case this offseason.

Shero, who recently won General Manager of the Year this past season, has become one of the most prolific GM’s in the NHL since replacing Craig Patrick back in 2006.

Although mistakes have been made — no GM is perfect — and he is humble enough to admit them.

Sighting Rob Scuderi’s departure as a tactical error, Shero signed the stay-at-home defenseman to a four-year contract this past July 5th and admitted he should’ve never let him go in the first place.

But what’s more important is that Shero’s a winner.

Under his tenure with the Pens, the team has a record of 374-208-49 and he’s turned an Eastern Conference cellar-dweller into a cup savaging juggernaut.

Helping guide the Pens to a Stanley Cup (2009), Two Eastern Conference Titles (2008 and 2009), and multiple Atlantic Division Champions honors (2007, 2008 and 2013) — Shero’s resumé is self-explanatory.

He has even seen success steer him to much bigger honors on the national stage.

In 2010, Shero was placed on the USA Hockey Olympic Advisory Committee and this past June he was named the USA Hockey Olympic associate GM for the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics.

Needless to say, Shero has been a standout for the Penguins in his seven years as GM.

What are his best moments though?

Let’s take a look back at the five best moves Shero has concocted since joining Pittsburgh.