My instant reaction to the trade is total confusion. Andrew Shaw comes with a $3.9 mil AAV cap hit through the 2021-22 season, which probably prevents the Blackhawks from signing Joe Pavelski, Anders Lee or any other significant UFA this offseason. This also prevents the Blackhawks from getting early extensions done for both Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome.
Although the Blackhawks do still have the option of trading other big salary cap hits such as Artem Anisimov ($4.55 mil AAV) or Brandon Saad ($6 mil AAV), you have to wonder what StanBo & Co.