A special announcement has been made on former Blackhawk Andrew Shaw
Photo credit: Chicago Blackhawks on X
A special announcement was made on the former Chicago Blackhawks player and fan favorite Andrew Shaw.
On July 20th, as Shaw celebrated his 34th birthday, the Blackhawks sent a heartfelt birthday message to the two-time Stanley Cup champion on social media - a gesture that sparked conversation among fans who still miss his fiery presence on the ice.
Shaw, who retired in 2021 after 544 NHL games split between Chicago and Montreal, left his mark not just on the scoresheet but in the fabric of the team's identity.
He tallied 247 points, including 116 goals, along with 573 penalty minutes in 10 NHL regular seasons. He added 35 points in 72 playoff games and a staggering 123 PIMs. He also helped Chicago win the Stanley Cup in 2013 and 2015.
The Chicago Blackhawks need a guy like Andrew Shaw on their lineup
The Blackhawks could use a bit of Shaw's grit right now. With Pat Maroon gone, and players like Tyler Bertuzzi (51 PIMs) and Nick Foligno (48 PIMs) doing the heavy lifting in the toughness department, there's clearly a missing piece.
In a paper published on The Athletic during the last season, Mark Lazerus shared some thoughts about how there's no player on the Hawks' current lineup who brings what Shaw brought in Chicago:
"It's nowhere near the top of the lengthy list of Blackhawks needs - an elite linemate or two for Connor Bedard, maybe a few compliance buyouts and simply time, so much time - but where's this team's Andrew Shaw? Where's Ryan Hartman? Where's Dave Bolland? Where's the guy who can inject a little excitement into a game, who can turn the momentum with one play, one hit, one slyly drawn penalty? Not someone who fights, but someone who plays with some fight?"
Still, someone has to step up - someone to lead the charge with Shaw-like tenacity.
It'll be intresting to see if someone steps up during training camp.
Until then, the Blackhawks and their fans continue to celebrate one of the last great heartbeat players of the dynasty era.
Previously on HawksInsider
TRENDING NOW
