from Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times,

“Every guy’s merits are stronger than others, and Shawzie’s argument is as tough as you’re ever going to get, because he brings so much to the table that you appreciate,” Quenneville said as the vanquished Blackhawks went their separate ways on Wednesday. “He’s irreplaceable in that regard.”

Quenneville might not have much of a choice. While everyone (including Shaw himself) would like the feisty winger to return next season, the odds are slim.

Shaw will be a restricted free agent on July 1, and as a two-time Stanley Cup champion, a former 20-goal scorer, and a proven playoff performer, he’d have to leave millions on the table in order to stay with the cap-strapped Hawks. A qualifying offer, which would keep Shaw from being an unrestricted free agent, would be worth $2.5 million. On the open market (or maybe even in arbitration), he could command more than $4 million.

While Quenneville deemed Shaw “irreplaceable,” Bowman was far more measured with his words as he awaits the official salary-cap number.

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