The veteran joins the Blue Jackets as a dependable, when healthy potential third-pairing defenseman who can impart the wisdom of his years to a deep and talented crop of blue line prospects. It's hard to remember that 14 seasons ago, Aucoin scored 23 goals while on the Canucks. He put up 50 points over two seasons with Phoenix before a paltry nine last year prior to signing with Columbus.
The 38-year-old blueliner saw his scoring numbers dwindle in 2010-11 as he tallied just three goals, but Aucoin remained a fair source of defensive points (22) and his plus-18 rating made him a potential fantasy option. Don't expect much to change heading into 2011-12; at best, Aucoin is a fringe fantasy option if you need a good source for plus/minus rating, but don't expect much by way of goal-scoring.
Aucoin excelled in his role with the Coyotes in 2009-10, especially with his knack of finding the back of the net in shootout situations. Aucoin has had 28 points (8G, 20) and for 2010-11, he might break 35, but that would be a bonus. In the Coyotes' system, Aucoin's role is mainly for defense and not for his offensive skills.
The Coyotes signed Aucoin early in free agency, addressing their most glaring weakness from last season, the defense. Phoenix was in the bottom of the league in every defensive category last season. The veteran Aucoin figures in as a top four defenseman with the desert dogs, and should supply some offense on the power play as well. Offensively, Aucoin should stay around his 10 goal and 24 assist output of last season, and could improve with the increased ice time he'll get in Phoenix.
Aucoin finally stayed healthy for an entire season for the first time since the lockout and had decent results, with 10 goals and 25 assists in 76 games with a plus-13. He is teamed with a shutdown defenseman in Robyn Regehr, which allows him to take a few more chances offensively. Expect similar stats from him this season, as he should notch 35-40 points.
After a fantastic pre-lockout year with the Islanders in 2003-04 (44 points, plus-29), Aucoin really struggled with the Blackhawks the past two seasons. He combined for only half his 2003-04 total and his plus/minus dropped by 51. Hopefully a change of scenery will do him good, as he is a talented player, but he is a risky pick. Nonetheless, he is worth a chance in later rounds, as he will definitely be on one of the front two d-lines on Calgary and has scoring potential.
Aucoin was a disappointment in 2005-06 as he was injury prone while playing in only 33 games, scoring one goal and five assists. If he stays healthy, Aucoin could live up to his expectations as a quality defenseman in the league with a killer slap shot.
Before the signing of Khabibulin, Aucoin was the Hawks' big free-agent pickup. In addition, he was the defender the Hawks were looking for to solidify the defense. The All-Star defenseman finished fifth in voting for the Norris Trophy in 2003-04. He set a career high in points with 44 and was second on the Islanders with a career best 31 assists. He ranked seventh overall with a team-best plus-29 rating and was third in the league in total ice time(2,157:05).
