Shaw has not played since Nov. 30, when he sustained a concussion in a game against the Colorado Avalanche. He was placed in the NHL concussion protocol on Dec. 3 and on long-term injured reserve Dec. 9, retroactive to Nov. 30. The forward has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 26 games this season.
The Blackhawks reacquired Shaw in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens on June 30, 2019, three years after trading him to the Canadiens. He has 243 points (114 goals, 129 assists) in 530 NHL games through nine seasons with Chicago and Montreal, and 35 points (16 goals, 19 assists) in 72 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Shaw was a member of the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup-winning teams in 2013 and 2015.
"He adds an element to our team, both on and off the ice that we wanted to add: a lot of personality in the dressing room, holds guys accountable, pushes them, makes them uncomfortable, drags them into the fight, helps to prepare them to play," Chicago coach Jeremy Colliton said. "And on the ice, obviously, he plays all situations. He can get your team going on a Tuesday night in November. He can get the group engaged, and obviously we miss that."
Smith will have back surgery Friday. The forward has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 50 games this season but has not played since Feb. 12, when he injured his left hand in a game against the Vancouver Canucks. Smith has 204 points (98 goals, 106 assists) in 662 NHL games through 12 seasons with the Ottawa Senators and Blackhawks, and nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 45 playoff games.
"Yeah, he's been battling it. He's had some maintenance days throughout the year and obviously time to get it taken care of," Colliton said.
The Blackhawks recalled forward Brandon Hagel from Rockford of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis.
Chicago (29-28-8) is six points behind the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference.
NHL.com independent correspondent Alain Poupart contributed to this report
