Less than a week after the Montreal Canadiens acquired forward Andrew Shaw from the Chicago Blackhawks, the Habs have signed the 24-year-old to a six-year deal worth $23.4 million.
Andrew Shaw's six-year deal with #habs is worth $23.4M — a $3.9M AAV
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 28, 2016
The Blackhawks, who couldn’t afford Shaw’s asking price, moved the former 139th overall pick for two second-round picks at the 2016 NHL draft.
“I’ve got a fresh start with a new team,” said Shaw on a conference call. “I’m excited about that. It’s going to be fun. I’m excited to meet the guys on the team and get in that locker room. But at the other end, obviously I’m going to miss all my friends and teammates in the organization and all the fans there in Chicago as well.”
Shaw spent five seasons with the Blackhawks recording 137 points (70g-67a) in 322 regular season games. While he wasn’t always the most offensively gifted at the NHL level, Shaw was a role player with the Blackhawks and did it well.
He scored some big goals for Chicago during their two Cup runs while he was a part of the team (2013 and 2015). He scored 35 playoff points (16g-19a) in 67 games, but it was his physicality and determination in the corners that made him such a valuable part of the Hawks offence.
Now, he’ll have to bring that same mentality and game plan to the Canadiens as they will be looking for him to live up to his new six-year deal in Montreal.