The Montreal Canadiens acquired Andrew Shaw in a June deal with the Chicago Blackhawks to add grit and truculence to a perceived delicate roster. Without playing a single game in a Habs uniform, Shaw was awarded a $23.4 million deal by general manager Marc Bergevin, representing a team mindset change to a rougher, harder to battle against squad.
Shaw’s potential impact was on full display on Tuesday night in a preseason matchup against the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old, who’s best remembered last season for calling a refferee a homophobic slur, wasn’t happy after getting tripped up by Jay Beagle.
Shaw was upset at the trip (slewfoot?) and the result was…this: pic.twitter.com/F3rw2zO7ke
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) September 28, 2016
Shaw’s reaction to the hit was less than measured. He took a dangerous run at Capitals prospect Connor Hobbs, blatantly hitting him from behind. Shaw showed off his true stupidity, immediately engaging in a fight with another rookie, Nathan Walker. The fight wasn’t really an issue, even if it was strange to see Shaw square off in a preseason game. His negligent behavior was an issue.
Shaw tried to pump-up fans mid fight, lifting his arm in the air and screaming “come on” as Walker ragdolled him. After egging the crowd, Shaw punched Walker twice, knocking the 22-year-old to the crowd. In scummy fashion, Shaw took an extra swing at Walker after he fell to the ice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdBaMK0DrK4
Shaw’s teammate Nathan Beaulieu told Eric Engels of Sportsnet.ca, the former Blackhawks careless actions were missing in Montreal in past seasons.
“I love it, [Shaw’s] my favourite player,” said Beaulieu. “That’s also something we were probably missing the last couple of years—a little bit of emotion, and that’s something he brings. I absolutely love seeing that and he’s instantly a fan favourite just from doing that. … I can guarantee you everyone in this room absolutely loved it.”
[link_box id=”22277″ site_id=”17″ layout=”link-box-third” alignment=”alignright”]Pardon my french, but that’s bullshit.
Shaw ran a 19-year-old in a preseason game, gestured to the crowd like it was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, and punched another rookie in a vulnerable position. That’s not leadership or as Beaulieu puts it, “emotion.” It’s a loose cannon going after those desperate to impress. The behavior should be condemned, not applauded.
Let’s not forget the situation. Shaw, a seasoned veteran entering his sixth NHL season, took exception to getting slew-footed by a veteran Capitals player. His response? Charging a defenseless rookie and fighting another one. The disgusting actions shouldn’t fuel comradery between teammates, instead, it should be frowned upon. A suspension should be imminent.
Montreal’s Andrew Shaw will have a hearing tomorrow for boarding Washington’s Connor Hobbs.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) September 28, 2016
I understand the Montreal Canadiens current situation. The club is transitioning from a rough season, missing the playoffs for the first time in three years. Marc Bergevin didn’t look at the bigger picture that Carey Price, the Canadiens best player, missing time severely impacted their playoff chances. Rather, Bergevin dealt his most talented defenseman for a grittier, less skilled player and decided emphasizing a helter-skelter type of hockey would lead Montreal back to hockey prosperity. The attempted culture change was the biggest misfire of the NHL offseason. The Canadiens unintentionally got worse.
Actions like Shaw’s will be applauded for the “sticking up for teammates” and an “emotional response” nonsense mentality created by old-school hockey minds which is slowly fading out of the game. Most teams realize this, but the Canadiens, foolishly, are embracing it.
