Andrew Shaw Contract: Latest News, Rumors on RW's Talks with Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw is set to become a restricted free agent this summer, putting his future with the organization in question.

Continue for updates.

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Shaw and Blackhawks Open Talks On New Contract

Wednesday, May 11

“I’ve had some preliminary discussions with [Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman],” Shaw's agent, Pat Brisson, told Scott Powers of The Athletic on Wednesday. “We are talking about it right now. That’s pretty much it for now. I have not explored deep enough yet to get a sense [whether we can work something out]. I will have more discussions with Stan in the future.”

Shaw, 24, scored 14 goals and added 20 assists for the team in 78 games this season. He added four goals and two assists in six postseason games. That ability to play at his best in key games—along with the passion and energy he brings on a nightly basis—certainly has made him a valuable player for Chicago. 

But that hardly guarantees his return.

“You try not to [think about it], but I trust my agent and Stan to do what they can," Shaw said on April 27, per Powers. "I want to be back here and I think they want me back. Just get both teams working together and that’s going to be something in the future, obviously later in the summer. A lot of cap issues, obviously. Just got to be patient and wait for it.”

Indeed, the Blackhawks' cap situation will potentially be an issue. According to Powers, the team already has $69 million committed to players for 2016-17, with the cap expected to settle in around $74 million. That could make retaining Shaw—who will surely garner serious interest on the free-agent market if he's allowed to become an RFA—tricky for the Blackhawks. 

Still, the team has had to manage the cap before and has managed to keep its core in place. If Shaw is seen as a key piece in that core, the Blackhawks will find a way to retain him. The organization has remained cagey about its intent, however. 

"We certainly like what Andrew brings to the table," Bowman said in April, per Powers. "There’s just some things that have yet to be determined, in terms of what’s the salary cap going to be. We’ll get that number over the next two months and once we get that, we’ll make it work and put a team together that fits and is competitive." 

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