Columbus Blue Jackets: Brad Shaw’s Impact on the Team
Before the 2016-2017 campaign started, the Columbus Blue Jackets hired Brad Shaw to be an assistant coach.
Brad Shaw has brought his wealth of hockey experience to the Columbus Blue Jackets. After playing a combined 15 years in the IHL, AHL and NHL as a defenseman, Shaw got into coaching. His most recent stint before joining Columbus in 2016 was 10 years with the St. Louis Blues as an assistant.
Since being with the CBJ, Shaw’s presence has been felt on the blue line. He is working with a very young defensive core that is extremely talented, so Shaw’s role in the organization is that much more important. John Tortorella mentioned his worth in an interview last season.
Columbus’ Defense Last Year Under Shaw
Seth Jones, 22, and Zach Werenski, 20, are the cornerstones of the Columbus Blue Jackets defense, so Brad Shaw’s role is that much more important. Whatever Shaw did worked for his top pair as both players topped 40 points each. While both racked up points, the Blue Jackets top pair stood out with their smart and controlled play.
While these two are the most talented pair on the Blue Jackets, the Blue Jackets defensive core finally has a feeling of depth. Jack Johnson and David Savard have a chemistry that seems to be set in stone and this second pair gives a lot of good minutes.
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Jack Johnson is the most seasoned veteran on the back end in Columbus. Johnson seems to have come into his role as a leader even if it comes with playing on the second pairing behind two younger players.
Lastly is the third pairing. Columbus’ third pair includes Ryan Murray and a rotation of players including Markus Nutivarra, Gabriel Carlsson, and Scott Harrington. Shaw has a bevy of young talent that has played well with little NHL experience in Nutivarra and Carlsson.
The Columbus Blue Jackets assistant has played a big role in turning around the Blue Jackets defensive core along with developing the young Jackets. The Blue Jacket defense got better as the season went on. Brad Shaw was a huge part in the Blue Jackets jump into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.