Andrew Shaw

Just when it looked like Shaw had emerged as an effective offensive force (14.1 shooting percentage) without the distraction of undisciplined play, the Canadiens decided to trade him to the Blackhawks in exchange for three draft picks during the offseason. The move was designed to clear cap space in order to add a big-ticket free agent. However, that big-ticket signing never came to fruition. Shaw returned earlier than expected from April 2018 knee surgery last season, skating on Montreal's fourth line before being promoted to the second line to play with Max Domi. He displayed instant chemistry with Domi -- which is another reason that his trade was a head-scratcher. The gritty forward heads into 2019-20 off the heels of his most productive season as a pro, during which he posted career highs in goals (19) and assists (28) while registering a plus-17 rating in just 63 games. If he can avoid injuries -- which is not a given with Shaw -- the 28-year-old could threaten the 15-goal and 40-point marks while filling a middle-six role for the Blackhawks in 2019-20.

Shaw battled a pair of lower-body injuries which limited him to 51 games in 2018-19, the fewest he's played since the lockout-shortened season. Still, he still averaged a career-high 15:49 of ice time per game. The second lower-body injury, to Shaw's left knee, required surgery in April. The initial prognosis was for Shaw to miss six months, putting him on schedule to return by late September or early October. Once healthy, Shaw should assume a role as a high-energy forward that'll draw penalties while being effective on situational faceoffs. However, the noted agitator/instigator played with more control last season compared to his first in Montreal, which led to fewer penalties and hits per game. If he continues to behave himself, it will mean more ice time which could lead to higher point totals.

A well-known agitator, Shaw brings an emotional edge to a Habs team that has gained a reputation for being soft on opponents, but the Ontario native was a bit of a mixed bag last season. He produced a serviceable 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 68 games while ranking among the team leaders in faceoff winning percentage at 54.6 percent. Further, Shaw was more than willing to mix it up with 147 hits, though his lack of discipline resulted in mind-numbing penalties; he was suspended for three preseason games following a boarding call and finished the campaign with 110 minutes in the box -- by far tops on the team. While PIM can be an asset in some fantasy leagues, his actions hurt the Canadiens and that could ultimately result in reduced ice time. In order to be a dependable fantasy option, Shaw will need to keep that reckless streak in check.

As the director of player personnel in the Blackhawks organization, Montreal general manager Marc Bergevin scouted Shaw and advised Chicago to select him in 2011. Five years and two Stanley Cups later, Shaw has been reunited with Bergevin, who eagerly traded two second-round draft picks for the 24-year-old forward on draft night, then locked him up to a six-year deal three days later. Shaw, who scored 14 goals with a career-high 20 assists in 2015-16 and led the Blackhawks with four postseason goals in a seven-game loss to the Blues, brings a reputation as a grinder. He led Chicago with 148 hits and was defensively responsible (plus-11, 53.2 percent defensive zone starts). The Habs could use more of his gritty two-way game. Bergevin calls him a character guy who’s hard to play against, comparing him to Brendan Gallagher for being willing to play in the dirty areas; Shaw’s former coach, Joel Quenneville, lauded him as someone who’s never awed by the competition. Shaw can play both center and right wing, but those are positions of depth on the Montreal roster, so look for him to open the season on the third line.

Playing against Shaw is like accidentally scraping your skin with coarse grit sandpaper and then pouring rubbing alcohol over it. It hurts -- a lot. The irritating little tick is hard to play against. And he’s the kind of player capable of delivering multi-categorical goodness to your fantasy squad. There probably won’t be much power-play production mixed into the 30 points or so Shaw typically provides, but there will be plenty of PIM, around 150 shots, and 130-plus hits over the course of the season. Those are complementary numbers on the cheap that can help you win a fantasy championship.

Shaw registered his first 20-goal season in 2013-14, tacking on 19 assists for good measure in his first full campaign in the NHL. The grinder has speed to burn, and his strong results have hiked up the Hawks' expectations for him this season. The team hopes this is just the beginning of some great things to come, perhaps making Shaw a 50-point sleeper for the upcoming season.

Shaw translated a relatively quiet regular season (nine goals and six assists) into a warmer postseason (five goals and four assists in 23 games), and the Hawks would obviously prefer the playoff Shaw to show up in 2013-14. The team would ideally like to roll him on a pesky third line, but he could get an audition on the wing on the second line if Patrick Sharp is forced to move to center. And there's way more value in that than toiling on the PK.

Shaw will be looking for more ice time this season with the Blackhawks. He had an impressive debut last season with 12 goals and 11 assists in 37 games. He also skated in three games in the playoffs and was suspended for three games for crashing into Coyotes' goalie Mike Smith. If his offseason work is any indication -- he added 15 lbs of muscle this offseason -- Shaw will be staying with the Blackhawks when the 2012-13 season starts. Forty points, 150 hits and 100 PIMs are possible.