Less than 24 hours after the Penguins recalled goalie Marc-Andre Fleury from their farm team in Wilkes-Barre, they placed veteran goalie Jocelyn Thibault on waivers.

The waivers took effect at noon today; if Thibault is not claimed by another team by noon tomorrow, the Penguins can assign him to Wilkes-Barre.

If Thibault would decline to report to the Baby Penguins -- something coach Eddie Olczyk and general manager Craig Patrick said they do not believe he would do -- the Penguins could suspend him and not be obliged to honor the two-year contract worth about $3 million that he signed after being acquired from Chicago in August.

Thibault was 1-7-2, with a 4.38 goals-against average and .880 save percentage in 12 appearances with the Penguins this season.

Fleury is scheduled to be in goal when the Penguins face Buffalo tonight at 7:38 at Mellon Arena.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.