Jeff O'Neill was once Justin Williams' teammate on the Hurricanes, and O'Neill has enjoyed being around Williams the last few weeks in informal workouts at the RecZone.
O'Neill came back for a tryout with the Canes, hoping to win a roster spot on his old team. The last thing O'Neill said he could have expected, or wanted, would be to go into training camp trying to replace an injured Williams.
"He's one of the guys I've known here and one of the guys I've gotten close to since I've been here," O'Neill said today. "It's tough to see a guy who has put so much effort into it, considering last year he got hurt as well.
"It's a devastation here. You're so excited to get back on the ice, then that happens. It could happen to any of us. Just a freak accident and you've got to move on."
General manager Jim Rutherford said Wednesday that Williams' Achilles injury would "open the door wider" for O'Neill, who was out of the NHL last year.
"I don't think it has any effect on what I have to do," O'Neill said. "I just have to have a good training camp and prove I can still play and contribute.
"Justin's a solid teammate, a solid leader and good offensive producer. I think I can do that. We'll see what happens."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
Let's not forget....
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 09:44 — The Original Caniac (not verified)I'm all about welcoming Jeff O back onto the team - but let's also remember - he's not signed. This team has said they are over their imposed budget. I would expect a trade at some point during camp or within the first 2 weeks of the season. Some salary has to go. Unfortunately - this probably points to Kaberle. Jeff O is going to want at least 1.5 to 2 million. I don't know if they will give him a one-way deal or make him sign a 2 way deal. But he has done nothing yet except show up for informal work outs. Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.
Spot goes to Chad or Jeff O
Thu, 09/18/2008 - 23:06 — Anonymous (not verified)Of the guys already under contract, LaRose has the best shot at stepping into the top 9 to fill Justin's spot on Rod's line. Looking at the numbers, he has done quite well when given more responsibility. People on the other thread are talking about Eaves moving up- this will give him more ice time, but he was already in the top 9. Someone else will have to step in. I am one of those centimental fans, so I'm really pulling for Jeff O to make it back & be that guy. My picks: Samsonov/Staal/O'Neill Whitney/Brind'Amour/Eaves Ruutu/Cullen/Walker LaRose/Sutter/Bayda (Brookbank, Murley) Pitkanen/Gleason Corvo/Wallin Seidenberg/Melichar (Babchuk) Ward Leighton
I caught quite a few of the
Thu, 09/18/2008 - 15:56 — figaroI caught quite a few of the August/September RecZone workouts - my prediction, with this latest tough news about Williams, is that Jeff O'Neill will be in the lineup opening night. And he will contribute. Each day at the 'Zone it was noticeable how O'Neill kept getting better - the one-touch passes getting sharper, shots finding the iron in the corners, no-look cross ice centering passes finding a surprised teamate's tape... he slowly became the "old" Jeff O'Neill once again - and by old, I mean way back when he was burying every pass Ronnie threw his way. And he's in shape - the last few days he was busting it, and without the tell-tale bent over gasps of an out of shape player. He will be a vital part of our offence, and this time, without the off-ice headaches.
Precisely what I think is
Thu, 09/18/2008 - 16:31 — Vinnie (not verified)Precisely what I think is going to happen my friend. At the end of the year, Jeff will have 30g's, the Canes win the division, JR is the Exec of the year for giving O'Neill a chance, and O'Neill wins the Masterton Trophy!!
Oh ya..........................and the Canes are Cup Champs again!!
Go Canes Go!! And Jeff, start lighting the lamp old school!
Freak Accident ?
Thu, 09/18/2008 - 15:26 — esteban1949Not sure what Justin was doing when as Rosie said they all heard a loud " POP" ...but i am sure...whoever was doing the same thing Justin was doing, and quit it imediately...!
Well Mr. O'Neill you just keep doing what you are doing...
Play your heart out dude ! Good Luck, and don't let door hit you as you go on in the lockeroom...heck that's all swe need !!
Go Canes !!
... This one probably was
Thu, 09/18/2008 - 16:16 — section318fan (not verified)I know some are wondering if the Cane's training program has problems. It may... But, this one was probably a freak. Maybe it was the antibotics Willy probably had to take after the knee surgery (there is a known association to tendon tears), or maybe it was too quick a return after a final vacation. I don't know the guy.
But it was probably just a freak. This injury happens to atheletes of all sports, and most of the time, they are just doing what they do, and nothing unusual. I witnessed it happen in an informal pick up volley ball game -- although the guy was not a pro athelete, he did work out. He wasn't doing anything extraordinary. Just playing, and then the next thing you know, he thought someone whacked him in the heel, and he is on the ground in horrible pain.
It happens.
#1 Right Winger
Thu, 09/18/2008 - 15:24 — Vinnie (not verified)Here's a prediction for you Chip......Not only is Jeff O'Neill going to make the Canes over the next few weeks, he's going to be the biggest story in the NHL this year! From everything I've read over the last few months I believe that O'Neill has his head on straight and he's in great shape to begin this season. It's funny how so many people who follow the Canes have short term memories! Jeff was our best player for years and I think single handedly took us to the Cup Final in 02. Everyone talks about his off ice issues with the cops and everything else, but at the end of the day, all those people chirping, have done the same thing he's done but since there nobodies, it never reaches the paper, like it does when your a professional athlete. O'Neill has his head on straight, is in shape, and I bet by 08/10/10 he'll be on the right side of Stall on opening night. Everyone says how bad he played in Toronto when he was there for two years, has anyone looked at the fact the guy scored 39 goals in those two years sitting on the bench and in the press box with you Chip? One thing I know about hockey Chip, no coach in the world can teach a player how to score goals!! O'Neill has the gift from God to do it, so play him with Stall and on the first line power play, and the Canes just picked up a 30 goal man for nothing! That's how you improve your team, giving a guy a try out for nothing, who you know is a great scoring right winger and all you have to hope for is that he really wants to play.
Good luck Jeff, and just shoot the puck, it'll go in!!
We'll see....
Thu, 09/18/2008 - 12:52 — Anonymous (not verified)I think I said in an earlier post:
If the Jeff O'Neill who took a puck to the eye and then scored the game winner shows up at camp... the he will be in good shape....