Da Windy City
Fansided

Chicago Blackhawks: A possible new role for Andrew Shaw

By Vincent Parise

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 19: Andrew Shaw #65 of the Chicago Blackhawks watches as the puck sails over Brian Elliott #1 of the St. Louis Blues on a goal by Duncan Keith in the third period in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on April 19, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blues defeated the Blackhawks 4-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 19: Andrew Shaw #65 of the Chicago Blackhawks watches as the puck sails over Brian Elliott #1 of the St. Louis Blues on a goal by Duncan Keith in the third period in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on April 19, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blues defeated the Blackhawks 4-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Chicago Blackhawks Andrew Shaw
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

5 on 5

5 on 5 is something Andrew Shaw is very good at as far as production is concerned. He had some great offensive numbers at even strength for the Montreal Canadiens in 2018-19.He had 16 even strength goals and 25 even strength assists for 41 even strength points. 87% of his offensive contribution to the scoresheet came at even strength.

These numbers were good because he had a bit of an expanded role at even strength with the Canadiens last year. He played with some good players there and hopefully he gets a similar opportunity once he is a Chicago Blackhawk again.

I really like the idea of him playing on the second line with Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat. He would be the hard working corner guy on the line who makes sure the other two get the puck in high danger areas. Shaw can be that type of forward for a skill like like that.

If you follow the NHL closely you know about the Zach Hyman–John Tavares–Mitch Marner line in Toronto. Tavares and Marner are both highly skilled players that can pile up points with the best of them. Hyman’s role is exactly what Shaw would do with DeBrincat and Strome, be tough to play against in corners and get the puck in dirty areas for your much more skilled line-mates and collect goals and assists because you got them the puck.

Obviously Shaw could play on all four lines at even strength and he very well might see time on all four lines, but this second line could really cook if Shaw were put in with that duo of Strome and DeBrincat. Shaw’s production this season could very well depend on what role he is given consistently.

Home/Chicago Blackhawks