Tyler Cameron: Random Blackhawks Spotlight: Adrian Aucoin
You might be wondering why I went this random with my spotlight.

I mean, Adrian Aucoin only played a couple of seasons in Chicago, totaling just 92 games. And those 2 seasons from 2005-2007 were very unforgettable to the Blackhawks Captain as he was marred by injuries and didn't put up the offensive numbers the Hawks needed him too.

Stay with me though as this spotlight is a bit of a theme this week, as this Aucoin article is as much a flashback as it is a tale of influence.

First--and good one Tyler!

Cool idea, and great perspective TC. The interview was a nice touch as well.

First--and good one Tyler!
- RaleighHawk

Thanks RaleighHawk! Hope all is well with you and yours!

Cool idea, and great perspective TC. The interview was a nice touch as well.
- Chunk

Thanks Chunk.

I liked the way this came together as well.

Excited to put the finishing touches on the Duncan Keith article for Friday as well.

My memories of Aucoin, similar to most Tallon Free Agent signings right after the lockout. The game got too fast for him, he was too injury prone in Chicago, and the Hawks still were a bad team for awhile until 19 and 88 arrived. If he did help mentor 2 and 7, then he did at least that right.

The NHL is unhappy over teams signing players to entry-level contracts with “to be determined” start dates (like Ian Mitchell's). The league made a rule when this season was paused that such contracts couldn’t have a 2019-20 start date, but some clubs hoped to use “TBD” as a potential loophole. The league isn’t allowing contracts with undetermined start dates to be submitted to Central Registry.


and

TSN: Darren Dreger reports there is concern within the NHL and the NHL Players Association return-to-play committee over the fairness of returning with a 24-team tournament that would determine a 16-team post-season. Under that format, the Montreal Canadiens (a non-playoff team under normal standards) would face a good playoff club like the Pittsburgh Penguins. “Should they be at an equal position starting at the play-in of the 24-team format?”, asked Dreger, adding this must be resolved before the two sides sign off on this scenario.

Doing our best. Question for you--would you rather the hawks be part of the 24 team playoff, or not included? How it affects their draft position could be a factor in that answer.

Doing our best. Question for you--would you rather the hawks be part of the 24 team playoff, or not included? How it affects their draft position could be a factor in that answer.

Doing our best. Question for you--would you rather the hawks be part of the 24 team playoff, or not included? How it affects their draft position could be a factor in that answer.

It's somebody's birthday.

Doing our best. Question for you--would you rather the hawks be part of the 24 team playoff, or not included? How it affects their draft position could be a factor in that answer.
- RaleighHawk

Give me the highest draft pick possible.

It's somebody's birthday.


- Beaver-Warrior

Happy Birthday Stan !! .He really was the man . Always a favorite .Right up their with Tony O . They played the real game ..

Does this mean Mitchell is not signed ?

Does this mean Mitchell is not signed ?
- rpeters01

FWIW - he is listed on CapFriendly as "NHL prospect with no contract history".

Aucoin couldn't play dead for the Hawks.

(frank) him

Does this mean Mitchell is not signed ?
- rpeters01

He is signed.

Aucoin couldn't play dead for the Hawks.

(frank) him
- Elbows15

Besides that, how do really feel about him?

The NHL is unhappy over teams signing players to entry-level contracts with “to be determined” start dates (like Ian Mitchell's). The league made a rule when this season was paused that such contracts couldn’t have a 2019-20 start date, but some clubs hoped to use “TBD” as a potential loophole. The league isn’t allowing contracts with undetermined start dates to be submitted to Central Registry.


and

TSN: Darren Dreger reports there is concern within the NHL and the NHL Players Association return-to-play committee over the fairness of returning with a 24-team tournament that would determine a 16-team post-season. Under that format, the Montreal Canadiens (a non-playoff team under normal standards) would face a good playoff club like the Pittsburgh Penguins. “Should they be at an equal position starting at the play-in of the 24-team format?”, asked Dreger, adding this must be resolved before the two sides sign off on this scenario.
- wiz1901

I think the NHL wants games on TV and a product to pimp while there is no competition. And they want some of the bigger 'hockey' markets involved.

If they can sneak in Chicago and Montreal in because they know they will drive some viewership there then who really cares?

Finishing up this past year doesn't take fairness or competition or sportsmanship or whatever into the picture. It is 100% a business driven decision. This is to recoup losses in TV deferments that will cut into 20-21 money and try to expand the fan base before football and basketball come into the picture.

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?

FWIW - he is listed on CapFriendly as "NHL prospect with no contract history".
- Chunk

Can it just turn out that those players do not play when the league resumes.playing out this season. Then can those players sue over the pretense of a promise to play this season? Best scenario is that they play when the next season begins as far as I care......BUT.......is there some money and burning off a year on an.ELC which the NHL can say "too bad" and "your team have [players signed] is merely a false expectation? Any lawyers know the ramifications?

Another subject with even broader ramification(s) more or less punted away for time being with no comment by Tyler and this board.....is how much of a shortfall and can the dollars be made up through gaining other revenue WHEN ATTENDANCE is way down next season?

On the surface as with the effect on no compliance buyouts, teams will suffer operating loss for next season (likely an operating loss of less.proportion this season too). Who knows how it may effect the economy of the game in the following seasons.

Can it just turn out that those players do not play when the league resumes.playing out this season. Then can those players sue over the pretense of a promise to play this season? Best scenario is that they play when the next season begins as far as I care......BUT.......is there some money and burning off a year on an.ELC which the NHL can say "too bad" and "your team have
- jhawk59[players signed] is merely a false expectation? Any lawyers know the ramifications?

Another subject with even broader ramification(s) more or less punted away for time being with no comment by Tyler and this board.....is how much of a shortfall and can the dollars be made up through gaining other revenue WHEN ATTENDANCE is way down next season?

On the surface as with the effect on no compliance buyouts, teams will suffer operating loss for next season (likely an operating loss of less.proportion this season too). Who knows how it may effect the economy of the game in the following seasons.

One way it will effect is the NHL negotiating the next US national television contract, which I believe will be significantly less than anticipated, as the major networks (and the corporations that own them) are having serious revenue shortfalls of their own resulting in slashing of payroll, and making sportscasters slash their pay.

Besides that, how do really feel about him?
- Beaver-Warrior

I disliked him so so much.

I disliked him so so much.
- Elbows15

Could not agree more ,this guy was nothing more then a pylon for a few very forgettable seasons .And he was a Clucks draft pick

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.