After the Penguins declined to make a qualifying offer to goaltender Jean-Sebastien Aubin in 2004, he signed with Toronto. He also left one thing behind.

They don't call him Seabass north of the border. Which is fine with him.

"No, I don't miss it," Aubin said after the morning skate yesterday. "It's good it's gone. It's in the past."

Aubin has been a backup to Andrew Raycroft, but he got the start against the Penguins last night at Mellon Arena as Maple Leafs coach Paul Maurice has opened up the spot.

"We're looking for a guy to get hot, and, whoever that is, good for him," Maurice said. "He'll stay as hot as he can for as long as he can, and then it's the other guy's. That's the way it goes."

Aubin entered the game 2-3-2 with a 3.38 goals-against average in 12 appearances with seven starts this season.

He was a 1995 third-round draft pick by the Penguins and was a starter at times during six years with the organization, but also yo-yoed between the Penguins and the minor leagues. Eventually, injuries and competition with several other goaltenders -- including current starter Marc-Andre Fleury -- convinced the Penguins to cut their ties.

"I never thought I was not doing that well," Aubin said. "I just think decisions were made, and they didn't go in my favor."

He played against the Penguins once in 2005-06, getting the win in the teams' season finale as the host Maple Leafs won, 5-3.

Last night was his first time facing his former team at Mellon Arena.

"I've got a lot of friends here," he said. "It's going to be fun to see them after the game."

Staal loved those Leafs

Jordan Staal's hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario, is closer to Detroit than it is to Toronto, but he grew up a Maple Leafs fan.

"We didn't have a choice," the Penguins' rookie forward said. "That was the only team to follow."

Ontario is saturated in everything Maple Leafs. Weekly games on "Hockey Night in Canada" are a staple around the province.

Staal, 18, expected that playing his first game against Toronto would be something special, only to be outdone by his first game in Toronto, scheduled for Feb. 10.

"I've been watching those players my whole life," he said. "To be able to play against them is kind of an honor. But I know when we go to Toronto, I'm definitely going to get the jitters and that feeling down the spine."

Old, but good

Penguins defenseman Alain Nasreddine's shoulder pads have a few worn spots, and a couple of pieces have been replaced. All in all, though, they look pretty good for equipment the 31-year-old has used since he played in juniors.

"They're 13 years old," he said. "I hate new stuff. I'll keep them as long as the trainers let me."

Slap shots

The Penguins' morning skate was optional. As usual, everyone participated. ... Penguins scratches were forwards Chris Thorburn and Ronald Petrovicky. ... The Maple Leafs are riddled with injuries to forwards. Out were Michael Peca (knee), Darcy Tucker (bone bruise), Kyle Wellwood (hip), Alexei Ponikorovsky (shoulder) and Nik Antropov (ankle). ... Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin went into the game needing 50 career points to pass Darryl Sittler's team record of 916, meaning he has a shot at reaching it this season after getting 34 points in his first 31 games. ... Toronto's roster features four players listed at 6 feet 4 or taller, eight listed at at least 6-2. ... Moon Area High School senior Alexander Hilliker received a $2,000 scholarship from the Penguins Alumni Association.