O-Dog's House: Revisiting the Jeff O'Neill trade

Drafted 5th overall by the then Hartford Whalers in 1994, O'Neill enjoyed a stellar OHL career including winning OHL Rookie of the Year in the 92-93 season after potting 79 points in 65 games; the most since Kirk Muller a decade earlier. He struggled a bit to find his footing but once Hartford moved down south; he skyrocketed.

In 7 seasons with the Hurricanes, he scored 176 goals and 183 assists for 359 in points during his 536 game tenure; including a career high 41 goals in 2000-01 but shined during Carolina's sleeper Stanley Cup run in 2002 where they made the Finals before being eliminated by the Detroit Red Wings dynasty; O'Neill scored 13 points in 22 games and provided toughness against the likes of Brett Hull, Brendan Shanahan, Pavel Datsyuk and other several legends of the game.

Tragically, O'Neill's trip over to Toronto wasn't birthed from positive circumstances. After his brother passed away, he requested Carolina trade him to Toronto so that he could be closer to his family; and was granted that without question. So much so, he shipped him off for a 2006 conditional draft pick; basically pennies on the dollar so O'Neill could be comfortable and closer to his loved ones.

He played only two seasons in Toronto, but was a solid presence and often found himself alongside Leafs legend and icon Mats Sundin. His first season in Toronto saw him score 19 goals and 19 assists while playing in 74 games; and although he scored 20 goals the following year he often saw playing time lowered in favor of younger talent. He would sit out the entire year after; and was briefly invited to Carolina's training camp but retired after two exhibition games.

After retirement, O'Neill's charming personality made him a shoe in for an analyst or commentary job, and he settled into doing just that as he found work with TSN's hockey panel as well as hosting OverDrive with Bryan Hayes and former NHLer Jamie McLennan on TSN 1050.

Welcome to the O-Dog House.