Now that the Blackhawks' worst losing streak since before the Toews era is over, the organization has sent Andrew Shaw back down to the AHL and has recalled Jimmy Hayes to take his place. Some people have a problem with this. Those people are idiots.
Andrew Shaw became something of a sensation when he scored 5 goals in his first 8 NHL games. #shawfacts trended on Twitter, people who wear pink or green Hawks jerseys claimed him as one of their favorite players, and still others who luckily don't have a voice on the internet talked about him in the same breath as Hossa and Toews.
Perhaps because of all of this, when Marcus Kruger came back from injury, the Hawks kept Shaw on the roster and sent Jimmy Hayes back down to the minors. In the next 11 games, Shaw scored 0G, 3A, and is a -8. And no one who knows anything about hockey is the least bit surprised.
Because of the Shaw hype, Hayes' first NHL experience went largely unnoticed. People who don't watch or understand hockey get really excited about goals, and so Shaw scoring 5 in 8 games was very exciting. But Hayes was, is, and will be a better player. Hayes had 3G 8A, and -1 in 13 games, which is two points better than Shaw in six fewer games. He's eight inches taller and 60lb heavier than Shaw, had a better junior career, and actually displays some hockey sense. Hayes still needs to grow into his monster body, but for a giant he displays some good hands. Hayes can obviously work the boards a lot better than Shaw, who usually flails around hopelessly until someone knocks him over.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Andrew Shaw return to the lineup later in the season, maybe when the Q realizes how useless Michael Frolik is. But expect Hayes to play more games this year, and to secure a roster spot next year. Shaw is this year's Ben Smith; useful in bursts, but not good enough to have a lasting presence unless he develops more.
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