The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that forwards Andrew Shaw and Zack Smith are both out for the season. Shaw is out due to a concussion. Smith will have back surgery on March 6th that will keep him out for the remainder of the year.
MEDICAL UPDATES: Forward Andrew Shaw (concussion protocol) will be out for the remainder of the season.
Forward Zack Smith (back) will undergo surgery on Friday, March 6, and will be out for the remainder of the season. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/Ox8ycH4P9u
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 29, 2020
Andrew Shaw and Zack Smith Done for the Year
Shaw has been out with a concussion since November 30th. In 26 games this season, Shaw scored three goals and seven assists for 10 points.
He was reacquired by the Blackhawks in the offseason from the Montreal Canadiens along with a seventh-round pick in 2021 in exchange for a second and seventh-round pick in 2020 as well as a third-round pick in 2021.
Over his career with the Blackhawks and Canadiens, Shaw has scored 114 goals and 129 assists for 243 points in 530 games. Shaw was originally drafted in the fifth round, 139th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Smith has been out since February 12th after he had his hand cut by a skate against Vancouver Canucks. In 50 games this season, Smith has four goals and seven assists for 11 points.
Smith was acquired by the Blackhawks from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Artem Anisimov.
Over his career between the Senators and Blackhawks, Smith has scored 98 goals and 106 assists for 204 points in 662 games.
Smith was originally draft in the third round, 79th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
What This Means for the Future
The Blackhawks playoff chances were already pretty grim, so the fact they’re without two of their depth forwards from the remainder of the year doesn’t change much. The Blackhawks are currently eight points back from the final Wild Card position with 18 games remaining.
With the season being over for both forwards, the Blackhawks recalled Brandon Hagel from the Rockford Ice Hogs on Saturday on an emergency basis. In 55 games for the Ice Hogs, Hagel has scored 19 goals and 11 assists for 30 points. It’s the 21-year olds rookie season in the AHL.
The Blackhawks’ next game is on Saturday evening against the Florida Panthers.
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