Hawks’ Shaw lands in concussion protocol again, might consider retirement instead

The story repeats itself for Chicago Blackhawks veteran forward Andrew Shaw…

After dealing with the lingering effects of a concussion for most of last season, Shaw back is in the concussion protocol again. The 29-year-old was placed on injured reserve before Chicago’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

What is worrisome about Shaw is his history of concussions and admitted in January that during the long layoff he considered retirement. This is not the first time Shaw hinted at retirement seeing his past with head trauma. 

When the Hawks were invited to the 24-team playoff tournament in the NHL’s Return to Play plan this summer, Shaw announced that he could not take part and was considering retirement then. While he shared his feelings of doubt with fans on Instagram this summer, he was still hoping to return, though he made frightening confessions about his health. He even admitted to  trying to conceal concussions  from spotters, knowing that he has taken a lot of nasty abuse and tried to hide it so that he could keep playing.

Now this could be the last straw… Shaw is a father and a family man and could be strongly encouraged to hang up the skates and think of his future - which may not included the NHL anymore… 

Head coach Jeremy Colliton explained that this time, Shaw suffered the injury by being elbowed in the face. The Blackhawks last played Tuesday in Dallas. Colliton, whose own NHL career was cut short by head injuries, said Thursday that “it’s terrible, it’s tough” that Shaw is back in the protocol.

Shaw is a feisty player who won two Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks and was a fan favorite before he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens back in 2016. Chicago reacquired him in the summer of 2019. He has one more season after this one on his contract with a cap hit of $3.9 million.

He needs to think about himself :  Shaw has nothing left to prove, he’s already a champion.