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O'Neill coming to Canes camp
Submitted by whalexander on 08/07/2008 - 13:58
Jeff O'Neill is coming back to Raleigh.
Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said Thursday that the former Canes forward, who did not play in the NHL last season, has been invited to the team's preseason camp next month. O'Neill, 32, has not signed a free-agent contract.
"In training camp, the door is open for players to make the team," Rutherford said. "That's the opportunity we'll give him. He said he plans to come in early and work out with the guys. He has the right mindset.
"We have talked about a contract, but it makes sense for him to come to training camp for the tryout and then us talk about a contract."
 O'Neill was the first-round pick of the Hartford Whalers in the 1994 NHL draft — and Rutherford's first pick as GM of the team.Â
O'Neill ranks third in franchise history in points (416), fourth in games played (673) and goals (198) and fifth in assists (218).
His 41-goal season in 2000-01 has only been exceeded once since, by Eric Staal in 2005-06.
Carolina traded him to Toronto in August 2005, a few months after O'Neill's brother, Donny, died in a car accident. O'Neill seriously considered retiring at the time.
After scoring 19 and 20 goals for the Maple Leafs, he did retire.
"Jeff took a year off," Rutherford said. "When a player takes a year off, you need to see how he recovers. We'll see how he does at camp."
Rutherford said it's possible O'Neill could have a good camp, sign a contract, then play in Albany (AHL) for a few games.
"Get his timing back, work on his conditioning," he said.
And if that works out?
"Jeff's been a good player over the course of his career," Rutherford said.
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Comments
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Tue, 06/30/2009 - 23:58 — nanooIpod Playlist Transfer is specially for you---iPod Playlist Transfer. iPod Playlist Transfer can be both your best iPod Playlist to computer/PC Transfer and iPod Playlist to iTunes Transfer.
Jeff was a center for years
Mon, 08/11/2008 - 09:18 — lewpuls (not verified)Jeff was a center for years before switching to wing and becoming a big scorer. Versatility is valuable in a backup player.
Its just training camp . . .
Sat, 08/09/2008 - 13:03 — CUBuff Caniac (not verified)If Jeff works out, great, if not cut him. NO big deal. I don't think JR will force Lav to keep him if he plays like he did in his last season with the Canes or while he was with TO. If he plays like he did in 01-02 we would be foolish not to keep him.
Insurance for Sutter
Fri, 08/08/2008 - 16:54 — C-Leaguer (not verified)One thing to look at here is that this may be the opportunity to fill out the lines without having to use Sutter as the fourth line center. The issue with Sutter is a darned if you do darned if you don't. If he goes back to juniors he'll be playing for a team that's not very good and that could set back his development. If he plays in the NHL he's likely the fourth line center/healthy scratch which won't get him much playing time.
If O'Neill makes the team then Sutter can return to his junior team with the knowledge that he will come up next year and likely be on the third line. This may hold back his development some, but it will allow the Canes to control his rights for an extra year as he enters the prime of his career.
Big News!?!?!?
Fri, 08/08/2008 - 15:26 — fizzbeeMust be a dearth of hockey news right now. This is the lead story on www.tsn.ca/nhl/ right now.
Whats the deal?
Fri, 08/08/2008 - 11:11 — johnnyg (not verified)Why is it that everytime there is a post (move, trade, signing, potential news) there is a 90/10 split in favor of the negative views?
I understand its not always sunshine and lollipops, but come on this O'neill thing is zero risk for this team. Kaberle vs. Wallin amounts to our bottom d-men, larose is a 4th liner, coles trade was a money thing (next summer). All these things have had a ton of people bash JR and the players just to argue. I like all the above players, but I also understand their limitations and positions.
Not really sure if people who post here read the article first, or if they read the headline, figure how its bad, and then post... thats what it seems like to me.
We have a winner!!
Fri, 08/08/2008 - 14:07 — Glenn (not verified)Congratulations, Johnnyg. You summarized the whole spirit here in one of the finest posts I've seen here in months... Luke, turn out the lights, we can all go home now.
 Seriously, what do the Canes have to lose? I'm not saying we'll see another Samsonov-ish turnaround, but who can say? As for Cullen insurance... we're talking about a winger here, not a center. (Kevyn Adams is still thinking Chicago is going to resign him, per his comments at Cole's golf party this past weekend, but I think that would be a compelling return as well).
It costs JR almost nothing
Fri, 08/08/2008 - 10:54 — ctillIt costs JR almost nothing to see if O'Neill can return to form. If he does, it creates possibilities for JR... either trade O'Neill, or keep him and trade someone else to get young talent or to dump salary.
No Worries
Fri, 08/08/2008 - 09:17 — MR (not verified)Very low risk, high reward situation for both parties.
If O’neil looks like an NHLer again, JR can give him a one-way, league minimum, or close to it, deal. He can battle it out for 3rd or 4th line minutes. Maybe he surprises everybody and can be a scoring winger in the Top 6 again. Stranger things have happened.
If O’neil is still battling demons and playing like he’d rather be sittin’ on a stool at the local taproom chattin’ up some pub bunny, then the Canes say, “Thanks, but it’s not working out.” Then O either calls it quits or hopes another team with a more desperate need likes what they saw enough to pick him up.
I think that’s we got Tanabe last year. He tried out with the Blues, failed to make it on the roster of one of the worst teams in the league, then we signed him early in the season. That worked out well …
Don't panic
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 23:32 — Anonymous (not verified)O'Neil won't play in a Canes uniform at all, until he proves his worth in Albany. And even then, only if a spot becomes available through injury or disappointing play on the big club. As Luke wrote - only one player in Hurricanes history has scored more goals in one season than him. It would be foolish to turn your back on his potential - while keeping a very close eye on his possible detractions. If he thought playing for Mo was tough, how will he respond to his defensive duties under coach Lavs?
You forget that he played
Fri, 08/08/2008 - 02:12 — acidqueenYou forget that he played for Laviolette before the lockout. He's got experience with the guy already.
yuck
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 22:58 — Sunno thanks!
JO
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 22:56 — Anonymous (not verified)The dude has scored 40 plus once...30 plus goals twice....20 goals twice and almost 20 twice(19) uh...why not give him the chance to prove himself or not???
JR has done this before...
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 21:14 — atrioneLet's not forget that Rutherford has invited Jeff Nielsen, Cale Hulse, Jason Woolley and Al Iafrate to preseason camp as non-roster invitees in past years. Iafrate's knees wouldn't hold up and he didn't come, the others were cut during camp. The only difference is that O'Neill has a history with this team.
Brad Isbister too....Â
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 23:58 — Anonymous (not verified)Brad Isbister too....Â
Hmmm
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 18:53 — Anonymous (not verified)I don't know...what's with the all the round trippers JR?
I'm not feeling nostalgic...
Someone gave YOU another chance once...
Fri, 08/08/2008 - 07:20 — Anonymous (not verified)Let's give Jeff another shot. Cause ya never know... What a nice 3rd or 4th line winger he could be. I trust him over "No-hands" Larose any day of the week. Keep Chad killing penalties...and Jeff can do the scoring on even-strength. :)
Wonder if he's still seeking
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 17:16 — caneshockeyfanWonder if he's still seeking a 1-way contract? Whatever the outcome, this adds some spice to training camp, doesn't it?
Waste of space.
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 17:15 — Anonymous (not verified)He wasn't good when he was here and was even worse in Toronto. Why would we want him and his attitude in the way of younger, better players that would actually try hard and skate back on defense. I say let him go drink back home in Toronto.
Have you ever heard of grace
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 22:25 — Jwe1654Have you ever heard of grace and second chances? I hope Jeff has changed and makes the team. I don't understand why you say he wasn't good when he was here? I guess 41 goals was just average?
The guy has his demons, and
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 16:01 — Anonymous (not verified)The guy has his demons, and has spent a good amount of time in a personal hell. I really hope things can work out for him, and I'll be pulling for him.
I can't wait to see Jeffy O
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 15:48 — Mike Dickinson (not verified)I can't wait to see Jeffy O at Lucky B's!
best summation
Mon, 08/11/2008 - 17:10 — Ivyleager (not verified)Funny! However, if he is spotted hitting all the old hot spots in town, I'd wager his demons have not yet been conquered. Start him off in Albany, and offer a 2-way contract. Otherwise, not wise. He must prove his work ethic and maturity. It happened with Bates Battaglia, and O'Neill is a much better player than Bates. But, it may be too late for Jeff.
ONeill Coming Back
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 15:40 — Anonymous (not verified)Please say it ain't so.
which way contract
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 15:28 — Keith (not verified)Guess he has backed off of his demands for a one way contract?
The Return of O
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 15:19 — schelle92 (not verified)If the player of 2001-02 shows up, he will definitely make the team. I'm all for giving him a chance. Maybe this humbling is what he needs to kick his butt and be the player we all know he can be.
Agreed.
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 15:17 — Writefish (not verified)Right on, acldqueen. Interesting indeed. Would take a big shift in his disposition to make that work. Hard to see it happening.
Just say no.
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 15:04 — Anonymous (not verified)Just say no.
Is this code for "We are
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 14:58 — Anonymous (not verified)Is this code for "We are unsure if Matt Cullen will be able to play night in night out. Therefore we don't want to burn Drayson Bowman for more then 10 games and want a backup we can go to?" Or, It may be nothing more than a professional courtesy handed out to a former player. Time will tell.
I like this...
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 14:51 — johnnyg (not verified)There are a lot of "if"s and with that there is nothing set in stone. If jeff is true to his playing form at his peak then we could have him for a steal. if not we arent committed and/or he could just be a 4th line call up from albany when injuries occur.
makes good sense for both parties.
Pass the popcorn. This
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 14:17 — acidqueenPass the popcorn. This should prove to be interesting.
amen sister!
Thu, 08/07/2008 - 15:04 — luvmycanes (not verified)amen sister!