Busy Week For Tallon Culminates With New Net Minde

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http://www.chicagosportsday.com/news/chicago/1123320682.html

 

Busy Week For Tallon Culminates With New Net Minder

by: Jason M. Kilander | Managing Editor - Chicago Sports Day | Saturday, August 6, 2005

 

 

 

Friday the Chicago Blackhawks announced the signing of free agent goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to a four-year, $27-million dollar contract. Khabibulin had been the number one target for Blackhawks general manager, Dale Tallon, who earlier in the week announced the signing of defensemen, Adrian Aucoin.

 

 

 

“When we began this process, we targeted Nikolai Khabibulin and Adrian Aucoin as the two main players we wanted to sign,” said Tallon in a press release. “Not only did we accomplish our goal in signing these players, but we were also able to sign Martin LaPointe and Jaroslav Spacek. Along with Jassen Cullimore, Matthew Barnaby, and Curtis Brown whom we signed last year, we feel that we have really improved our team.”

 

 

 

Khabibulin was a key member of the 2003-2004 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lighting. During his time with the Lighting, Khabibulin compiled a regular season record of 28-19-7 with three shutouts, a goals against average of just over two, and a save percentage of .910. During the playoffs, he was an integral part of the team’s success with a 16-7 record, and five shutouts.

 

 

 

Khabibulin, a nine-year veteran, has a career record of 209-187-58 with a 2.61 goals against average, and over 12,000 saves. During the work stoppage, he skated for Ak Bars Kazan in the Russian Elite League.

 

 

 

Along with Khabibulin, the Blackhawks and Tallon also brought in 32-year-old defensemen Adrian Aucoin. Aucoin comes to the Hawks from the New York Islanders, where the 10-year veteran made his first All-Star appearance.

 

 

 

“Adrian Aucoin was one of the top players we had targeted,” said the Blackhawks GM. “He’s a smart hockey player, logs lots of ice time, and is a solid two-way player who has an excellent shot from the point. He possesses excellent leadership skills and is a character player. He is also a classy individual who fits in perfectly with our organization.”

 

 

 

Last season, Aucoin appeared in 81 games and finished with a career high 44 points and 31 assists. During the 2003-2004 season, he logged nearly 27 minutes of ice time per game, and led the Islanders with a plus/minus rating of plus 29. Aucoin also skated during the work stoppage, playing for MODO Hockey Ornskoldsvik of the Swedish Elite League.

 

 

 

Both players figure to benefit greatly from the acquisition of right-winger, Martin LaPointe. The tenacious LaPointe was inked to a three-year deal worth $7.2 million on Thursday. The forward brings a wealth of experience to the Blackhawks, playing 10 seasons for the Detroit Red Wings, and three seasons with his most recent team, the Boston Bruins, playing in a total of 104 playoff games, and garnering two Stanley Cup Championships in that time.

 

 

 

“Martin is a physical forward who brings both skill and toughness to our team,” Tallon said of his new defensemen. “He wanted to come to the Blackhawks and is very excited about playing in Chicago. He’s not afraid to go to the front of the net. He is the type of player who fits into the style we want to play.”

 

 

 

LaPointe appeared in 78 games last season for the Boston Bruins, tallying 15 goals and 10 assists for a total of 25 points. His best season to date was the 2000-2001 season when he scored 27 goals, had 30 assists, 57 points and a total of 127 penalty minutes. It was his last season with the Red Wings. Lapointe did not compete during the work stoppage.

 

 

 

The Blackhawks have been one of the more aggressive teams in the free agent period, and have unquestionably become bona fide contenders in the Central Division, and ultimately hope all of the activity this offseason correlates into many years of success.

 

 

 

“I know our fans have gone through some difficult times, but we said that we would remain flexible and give ourselves a chance to improve our team under the new rules governing the NHL with a new Collective Bargaining Agreement,” Tallon said of the clubs offseason goals. “We planned ahead with this day in mind and we are extremely happy that we were able to achieve some of our goals.”