
| Posted: Friday October 6, 2006 10:32AM; Updated: Friday October 6, 2006 11:50AM
Don't be surprised if Maple Leafs RW Jeff O'Neill is dealt before the end of the season. Management can't be happy with his whining to the media about the way coach Paul Maurice is using him and club officials weren't happy with O'Neill's level of conditioning when he reported to camp. Don't be surprised if rookie defenseman Jay Harrison is claimed off waivers if the Maple Leafs try to send him to the Marlies. One club with lots of interest in the 23-year-old is the Carolina Hurricanes. Ilya Bryzgalov's ascent appeared to make the Ducks' Jean-Sebastien Giguere expendable, but teams seeking a net upgrade were unwilling to take on his $3.99-million salary. With groin and hamstring problems now in the past, Giguere knows this season is critical going into the final year of his contract. The mystery of who will start in goal for Florida's season opener was lifted Thursday when coach Jacques Martin announced Alex Auld will be in net when the Panthers play host to Boston tonight. Veteran Ed Belfour is expected to start Monday in Toronto. General Manager David Poile said the Predators will look to begin talks next week on extending Kimmo Timonen's contract. Although Timonen was named captain on Tuesday, under his current contract he could become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Rumors have swirled that potential new Penguins owner Jim Balsillie could move the team to Hamilton, Ontario, which is close to his home and RIM's head office in Waterloo. Balsillie indicated yesterday that he plans to keep the team in Pittsburgh. The NHL does not want the Penguins to move. Asked several times for a guarantee that the team will remain in Pittsburgh long-term or a promise that he won't attempt to move the team to Hamilton, Jim Balsillie did not answer directly but cited the need for a new facility and pushed the team's agreement with gaming company Isle of Capri for arena funding. Mario Lemieux is not keeping any money in the Penguins but left open the possibility of serving as a consultant. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||