Great post, Tyler! Really like the stories you weaved in including snippets from your interview with Aucoin.

I had high hopes for Aucoin when he was signed and agree that he would have excelled more on the ice were it not for the injuries. IIRC, he was the most highly coveted D-man that off season when Tallon signed him.

Also, it's good to see that he and the Blackhawks organization held each other in high regard after those two injury-riddled seasons to return as part of the player development staff for a few years.
- AEL_Fox

Another one of the many ill-fated signings made by Uncle Dale.

Does this mean Mitchell is not signed ?
- rpeters01

Signed but unable to play this season...

Exactly, if it was truly fair, does Stamkos miss 6-8 weeks of the playoffs as that is what his time table was after surgery? Or if he is recovered, can he play game 1?
- LAHawk

Yes he can play...

and if Kucherov feels like the CoVid-19 is too much issue to be out there in competition, he or any player can tell their team, they opted out of playing...
WITHOUT A PENALTY.

Another one of the many ill-fated signings made by Uncle Dale.
- Elbows15

Honestly, Aucoin was the only one of those signings I was happy with for 2005-06. Tallon miscalculated how much the game was changing with speed and scoring. Post lockout, the NHL moniker was "no lead is safe in the new NHL."

Lapointe, Barnaby, Brown, Spacek, and Cullimore didn't match that new direction. If Aucoin was signed (and stayed healthy) and Tallon signed faster or at least agile skaters instead, that off season would have been better IMO.

Brown I can somewhat understand as he was one of the top defensive centers and faceoff specialists in the league but sure did suck it up while in Chicago.

Khabibulin would have been okay had the salary matched his resume up to that point. Yes, he was the reigning Cup winning goalie for the Lightning and was a top 10 goalie but definitely not the best in the world worthy of being the highest paid goalie.

Another one of the many ill-fated signings made by Uncle Dale.
- Elbows15

Sort of mean but aptly named, wasn't Aucoin's nickname Augroin? IIRC, his injuries were groin related. That can't be a walk in the park.

I disliked him so so much.
- Elbows15

IMHO Just another forgettable player from the dark ages..

Definitely hoping we miss the playoffs the more that I think about it. Getting a top 7 pick to add to the already existing young core would be HUGE! What if we even get lucky and move into the top 3?

It's somebody's birthday.


- Beaver-Warrior

I have the white tarp just like that

Honestly, Aucoin was the only one of those signings I was happy with for 2005-06. Tallon miscalculated how much the game was changing with speed and scoring. Post lockout, the NHL moniker was "no lead is safe in the new NHL."

Lapointe, Barnaby, Brown, Spacek, and Cullimore didn't match that new direction. If Aucoin was signed (and stayed healthy) and Tallon signed faster or at least agile skaters instead, that off season would have been better IMO.

Brown I can somewhat understand as he was one of the top defensive centers and faceoff specialists in the league but sure did suck it up while in Chicago.

Khabibulin would have been okay had the salary matched his resume up to that point. Yes, he was the reigning Cup winning goalie for the Lightning and was a top 10 goalie but definitely not the best in the world worthy of being the highest paid goalie.
- AEL_Fox

Wasn't Smolinski brought in around that time too? I want to say 2006? You can put him in that same bucket.

Honestly, Aucoin was the only one of those signings I was happy with for 2005-06. Tallon miscalculated how much the game was changing with speed and scoring. Post lockout, the NHL moniker was "no lead is safe in the new NHL."

Lapointe, Barnaby, Brown, Spacek, and Cullimore didn't match that new direction. If Aucoin was signed (and stayed healthy) and Tallon signed faster or at least agile skaters instead, that off season would have been better IMO.

Brown I can somewhat understand as he was one of the top defensive centers and faceoff specialists in the league but sure did suck it up while in Chicago.

Khabibulin would have been okay had the salary matched his resume up to that point. Yes, he was the reigning Cup winning goalie for the Lightning and was a top 10 goalie but definitely not the best in the world worthy of being the highest paid goalie.
- AEL_Fox

The league was playing chess and Tallon was playing checkers. I never liked Aucoin. He was a decent #4 at best with some offense.

I have the white tarp just like that
- 6628

Those might be my favorite incarnation of Hawk sweaters. Always like the numbers on the sleeve and the Indianhead has a pissed off look to it.

IMHO Just another forgettable player from the dark ages..
- Beaver-Warrior

TBF, I didn't like him before he came to Chicago.

Those might be my favorite incarnation of Hawk sweaters. Always like the numbers on the sleeve and the Indianhead has a pissed off look to it.
- Elbows15

Yep, agree

In one of the latest playoff format rumours the Hawks would play Edmonton in the first round. Probably the only team they would have a chance against.

Another one of the many ill-fated signings made by Uncle Dale.
- Elbows15

#thebuilder

Another one of the many ill-fated signings made by Uncle Dale.
- Elbows15

Uncle Dale has never made a bad move in his career.

In one of the latest playoff format rumours the Hawks would play Edmonton in the first round. Probably the only team they would have a chance against.
- DarthKane

Are they proposing best of 7 series for the first round? Or will it be fewer?

Are they proposing best of 7 series for the first round? Or will it be fewer?
- SimpleJack

Best of 5. Hawks smoke the Oilers and go on to advance to the WCF.

Hawk fans reach an intense level of confliction.

#thebuilder
- Ogilthorpe2

As a GM, he was an excellent broadcaster.

Uncle Dale has never made a bad move in his career.
- DarthKane

He didn't draft C Caufield

If your guy scored on C Crawford, you have CC scoring on CC

He didn't draft C Caufield

If your guy scored on C Crawford, you have CC scoring on CC
- jhawk59

To clarify... Uncle Dale never made a mistake while working the the Blackhawks. Outside of that time he made one mistake (as you mentioned).

Best of 5. Hawks smoke the Oilers and go on to advance to the WCF.

Hawk fans reach an intense level of confliction.
- Elbows15

Especially when Nylander is named playoff MVP.

Some news from Elliotte Friedman via Sportsnet. (In the 1st round best of 5 series, Hawks No. 12 in the West would play No. 5 Edmonton.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elliotte Friedman reports “multiple sources indicate the NHL and NHLPA are working on a 24-team conference-based playoff setup,” with discussions on the proposal perhaps taking place on Thursday.

The top-four seeds (based on points percentage in each conference (Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington and Philadelphia in the East, St. Louis, Colorado, Vegas and Dallas in the West) would receive byes through the play-in process, but would participate in a three-game tournament. The play-in series would be a best-of-five format, while the rest of the playoffs would be best-of-seven.

The rest of the playoffs would be bracketed, meaning “in both conferences 5 vs. 12 (winner plays four seed), 6 vs. 11 (winner plays three seed), 7 vs. 10 (winner plays two seed) and 8 vs. 9 (winner plays one seed).”

Chris Johnston indicates the discussions between the league and the PA are about the format of the 24-team tournament. It doesn’t cover other issues such as COVID testing protocols, hub cities, and more. This format is expected to be discussed during Thursday’s schedule NHLPA executive board call.

Those might be my favorite incarnation of Hawk sweaters. Always like the numbers on the sleeve and the Indianhead has a pissed off look to it.
- Elbows15

Yes Sir, It's why I picked the photo. That sweater is the bomb.

Yes Sir, It's why I picked the photo. That sweater is the bomb.
- Beaver-Warrior

I always liked the old fashioned lace up collar on the old sweaters.