Two of the Blackhawks’ question marks this fall will be in training camp after all.
Andrew Shaw — who hasn’t played since Nov. 30, 2019, following a concussion — is excited and feeling fully healthy entering camp, general manager Stan Bowman told NBC Sports Chicago on Wednesday.
And Zack Smith — who hasn’t played since Feb. 12 due to a hand injury and back surgery a few weeks later — is also healthy and plans to be in camp, his agent said Friday.
While the Hawks’ forward lineup has been gutted by Alex Nylander and Kirby Dach’s recent surgeries, which will keep each of them out at least four months, and Jonathan Toews’ unknown illness with no timetable, at least Shaw and Smith will be present.
Camp officially starts Sunday and on-ice sessions at Fifth Third Arena start Monday.
Shaw has been plagued by concussions throughout his career and issued a statement over the summer that he’d skip the NHL restart and playoffs in order to fully recover. Smith also didn’t participate in the playoffs.
