Blackhawks: Andrew Shaw is one tough hockey player

Andrew Shaw has been a big piece of the Chicago Blackhawks in the past, and luckily he is back for more this season.

Andrew Shaw spent most of last season recovering from a concussion he sustained after just 26 games with the Chicago Blackhawks. We have not seen him play hockey in a long time, but luckily he will be back for more in 2021.

This is not Shaw’s first time facing some concussion issues. The 28-year-old has dealt with injury issues in the past, and that might be due in part to the way he plays and how big he is. Shaw, who stands at 5 foot 11 inches and weighs just 182 pounds, is not the biggest guy in the Blackhawks locker room, yet he plays like he is. That has always been who Andrew Shaw is.

Drafted in the fifth round of the 2011 NHL draft, Shaw was not a lock for the NHL by any means. Yet now 10 years later, Shaw is gearing up for his 10th NHL season. For the Blackhawks, bringing back Shaw could not have come at a better time.

Shaw played a critical role on the Blackhawks for their 2013 and 2015 Stanley Cups. He provides a spark no player in the NHL can match, and he is a fan favorite in Chicago. While it hurts seeing so many players fall to injury in Chicago, it is nice to see that Shaw will be coming back for more this season.

This Blackhawks team is weaker than usual. Their top six has holes, and their bottom six is up for grabs, especially after putting Zack Smith on waivers. Shaw brings a physical style of play to a team that definitely will need all the help they can get, and he doesn’t plan to change the way he plays anytime soon.

So on what line will Shaw play this season? Due to the injuries, the team has seen and just how poor the Blackhawks lineup will be, I would expect to see Shaw in the top six to start the year. Due to how long he has been with the organization and just how important of a voice he is, he could very well take on a leadership position with some key players gone for the time being.

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I think everyone wants to see the best for Andrew Shaw during the 2020-21 season. While hopefully, he has a successful season with the Blackhawks, more importantly, I hope he stays healthy and can continue to play hockey for many years to come!