Shaw: Eager to get things started

BOSTON - Logan Shaw hit the ice in Canadiens colors for the first time on Wednesday morning at TD Garden.

He won't be suiting up for the tilt against the Bruins, though, as head coach Claude Julien would like to give him some more time to adapt himself to his new surroundings.
After being claimed off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks on Monday, the 25-year-old forward is eager to suit up for his new squad soon.
"I'm super excited to have the opportunity to be a part of such a storied franchise. It's obviously a dream come true. It's hard to explain. I played in Florida and Anaheim, and they both have good markets, but this is a whole other level," said Shaw, following a brief workout. "I'll work every shift I'm out there and do my best to help this team win. I play a two-way game and I'll just dig in, play strong defensively and try to chip in offensively whenever I can."
Shaw, who brings 150 games of NHL experience along with him to the Canadiens' lineup, would relish the chance to help Julien's contingent on special teams, particularly on the penalty kill. Right now, the Habs rank 26th in the league in that department, operating at a 78.2 percent clip while short-handed.
"That's one of the reasons why I got to stay in the NHL as long as I have so far," explained Shaw, who considers himself more of a winger than a centerman, but has "20 or 30 games" under his belt playing down the middle. "That was one of my roles in Anaheim, playing the penalty kill. I took a lot of pride in it. I was happy with where I was there."

In Montreal, Shaw is re-united with former teammate Byron Froese, whom he played alongside during the 2013-14 campaign in Cincinnati (ECHL). Needless to say, it was nice to see a familiar face in the locker room.
"He was the first guy I talked to when I got here. It's nice to know someone at least," cracked Shaw, who will sport No. 49 for the Canadiens. "They seem like a good group of guys. It's going to be fun."
And, having already called Quebec home at one point in his career, Shaw fully expects to fit right in.
"I got to live with two French families when I was in Quebec City [playing for the Quebec Remparts] and being around the culture," said Shaw. "They love hockey and there's a lot of passion."
Now, his family back in Glace Bay, NS just has to jump on the Canadiens' bandwagon.
"I was forced to be a Leafs fan when I was growing up, but I'm sure that changed pretty quickly," concluded Shaw, with a smile. "I think we're going to have some new Montreal fans. They didn't used to be, but there's a lot of people back there that are huge into Original Six teams. I think there's a lot of pride back from where I'm from."