With it looking as if Daniel Carcillo’s left-knee injury is serious enough where surgery is a possibility, compounded with the seven-game suspension he received on Wednesday night, the Blackhawks recalled feisty winger Andrew Shaw from Rockford.
Not only will the 20-year-old Shaw be in the lineup on Thursday against the Flyers in Philadelphia, he will skate on the first line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp.
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Hawks' return to Philly sure to be special“It’s unbelievable,” Shaw said. “Watching Toews in the World Juniors (in 2007), he was one of my favorite players, and getting a chance to play with him is a dream come true.”
Shaw got the call that he was being brought up late Tuesday, the same day he signed a three-year, entry-level contract.
“I couldn’t stop shaking,” he said. “I signed the contract in the morning, then later I get the call. It was the most exciting day of my life.”
A fifth-round draft pick last June, Shaw is listed at 5-feet-10 and 180 pounds, but he plays bigger and doesn’t back down on the ice. He had 80 penalty minutes at Rockford to go with a nice offensive game.
He had an impressive training camp and even fought Carcillo in a scrimmage.
“That’s what they like from me, so why change my game?” Shaw said. “I’m just going to play my style of hockey and see how it goes. I like to play hard, play physical and get under the skin of the opponent.”
Coach Joel Quenneville was eager to see what Shaw can bring to the club.
“He was playing well down there and kind of gives us a little personality and is a comparable kind of player (to Carcillo),” Quenneville said.
“He’s one of those guys that can do a lot of things for us. He’s a smart player, he can score goals, and he plays hard. I’m sure we’ll enjoy his energy.”
Olsen also recalled:
Defenseman Dylan Olsen was recalled from Rockford with Andrew Shaw and also will be in the lineup against the Flyers, paired with Sean O’Donnell.
Olsen got the call when Steve Montador went on injured reserve retroactive to last Friday, meaning he could return Sunday against Detroit. Joel Quenneville said Montador’s upper-body injury isn’t serious.
Olsen was the Hawks’ No. 1 draft pick in 2009. But why bring him up when Sami Lepisto and John Scott are available to play?
“The depth of our organization is something we wanted to give it a try with Monty being out on the right side,” Joel Quenneville said. “(Olsen) played well in that position.”
The Hawks also placed center Marcus Kruger (concussion) on injured reserve.
