[Rumour] College UFA Matt O'Connor to visit Calgary

[sureLoss]

update:

Friedman on HNIC:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/h...el-vs-mcdavid/

because Matt O'Connor is going to the frozen 4 he won't be able to burn a year off his contract as the tournament coincides with the end of the NHL season

O'Connor will visit NHL teams after the frozen 4. Edmonton is confirmed. It is possible that he will also visit Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, Rangers and/or Buffalo but that is not confirmed


older


Mark Spector @SportsnetSpec
BU goalie Matt O'Connor has UFA decision down to cluster of teams, including CGY, OTT, NYR, EDM, BUF. Site visits to include EDM, CGY.

O'Connor has been one of the most sought after college FAs, with both TSN and Sportsnet talking about him for a few months. There is a report that a team even offered to move out a goalie at the trade deadline if he would sign with them right away.


http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article...l/#more-120203

Matt O’Connor, G
Junior, Boston University (Hockey East)

Along with the aforementioned Bailey, Boston University junior Matt O’Connor has become the hottest commodity on the collegiate free agent market this season. At least a dozen NHL teams, including the Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs, are vying to land the prized netminder at season’s end.

After splitting time with Sean Maguire (PIT) last season, O’Connor has assumed the undisputed starter’s role this season. The Toronto, ON native sports an 18-3-4 record that includes one shutout in 27 appearances. O’Connor’s .800 winning percentage currently leads the nation, while his 18 wins are tied for sixth. One of his more impressive stats is the fact that he has allowed more than three goals just once this season, which came in BU’s 6-5 loss to Northeastern on Feb. 27th. More recently, O’Connor was named one of the 28 nominees for this year’s Mike Richter Award as the nation’s top goaltender.

One of the attributes that makes O’Connor so attractive to NHL teams is his 6’5” and 204-pound frame. He possesses great athleticism and moves remarkably well for such a big netminder. O’Connor has blossomed into one of the nation’s most reliable goaltenders, demonstrating that he can not only keep his teams in games but also help win them. O’Connor is a goaltender who gets better with the more shots that he faces. He has greatly improved limiting second opportunities and is more aggressive in challenging shooters.

http://lastwordonsports.com/2015/03/...s-2015-part-3/

Matt O’Connor, Goaltender, Boston University Terriers, Junior (6’6″ 205 lbs)

O’Connor is the most sought after goaltender on the market, and he might even be the most sought after player on the market. The 23-year-old has put up a 2.28 Goals Against Average and .928 save percentage for a strong cougars team. O’Connor has excellent size, and uses its extremely well. He gets out of the crease and cuts down the angle, giving shooters very little to look at. O’Connor has very good lateral movement and tracks the puck well, cutting down a lot of cross-ice plays in the zone. He also has very quick legs, and a tight, efficient butterfly style. He’s so big there is little room upstairs even when he goes down. He could stand to work on his rebound control going forward to the pro ranks, but even then, he is more advanced than most college goalies.

[JohnnySkittles]

Even if we don't get him, it's still great to see that they're very active in trying to get any free asset they can.

[Alberta_Beef]

O'Connor & Gillies as the AHL tandem next year? Now that is something I could get on board with.

[Poe969]

So I'm assuming edm and Calgary are on his list for waaaaaaay different reasons. The Flames because it's a great organization trending upward and the oil because he'd be their starter for the rest of the year.

It's awesome that kids are now seeing the Flames as a team they want to go to.

[heep223]

23 years old, from Toronto, 6'5" 205 lbs. 22-3-4 (!) this year at BU with a .928% and 2.12 GAA.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by heep223

23 years old, from Toronto, 6'1" 200 lbs. 22-3-4 (!) this year at BU with a .928% and 2.12 GAA.

Not sure where you are getting the height from but he is usually listed at 6'5'' or higher.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Not sure where you are getting the height from but he is usually listed at 6'5'' or higher.

I got it from hockeydb, clearly wrong. Thanks

[AC]

It's exciting to hear that we've been in the running for the top goalie, D, and one of the top forward college free agents so far!

I'd be excited even just so Edmonton couldn't lure him in.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I'm just happy that a lot of college players are considering Calgary. You didn't see that a few years back. Even if we don't sign the player, we always seem to be in the top 5 as far as considerations go.

[sureLoss]

Link

[JiriHrdina]

I bet he has Calgary and Edmonton on his list for the same reason - lack of a clear #1 going forward. He probably is looking to avoid a situation where he is behind a young starter, or a guy clearly being groomed to be a starter. In Calgary and Edmonton he sees below average goaltending at the top, and no slam dunk prospects within.

Though I think the Flames are actually in decent shape with Gillies, Ortio and McDonald - but adding O'Connor would give them 4 guys that I think have some chance of developing into a starter. I make that assessment of O'Connor on the basis of exactly ZERO knowledge of him and having watched him play for a total of 0 seconds.

[FlamesAddiction]

That would be wicked awesome (in my best Boston accent).

[Poe969]

He probably has Calgary on the list because they're amazing and it's wrong not to like them or to consider playing for them.

[Hakan and the Loobs]

Not sure why he would have the NYR's on his list if he wants to be playing in the NHL in the next few years

[Vulcan]

When's he planning on visiting, he's got a game tomorrow?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I bet he has Calgary and Edmonton on his list for the same reason - lack of a clear #1 going forward. He probably is looking to avoid a situation where he is behind a young starter, or a guy clearly being groomed to be a starter. In Calgary and Edmonton he sees below average goaltending at the top, and no slam dunk prospects within.

Though I think the Flames are actually in decent shape with Gillies, Ortio and McDonald - but adding O'Connor would give them 4 guys that I think have some chance of developing into a starter. I make that assessment of O'Connor on the basis of exactly ZERO knowledge of him and having watched him play for a total of 0 seconds.

Aside from Calgary, I think Buffalo would be a good destination.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

When's he planning on visiting, he's got a game tomorrow?

McKenzie said yesterday that he would be visiting certain NHL teams after his college season is over.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Poe969

He probably has Calgary on the list because they're amazing and it's wrong not to like them or to consider playing for them.

But how do you root against this Flames team? You can’t. You shouldn’t. You’re a bad person if you do.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/ho...dvanced-stats/

[sureLoss]

One reason to be jealous of O'Connor is that the Flames will probably tell him details about the new arena in their presentation to persuade him to sign.

[devo22]

Interesting list. Edmonton and Buffalo are no-brainers obviously, he'd have a real shot at being in the NHL there next season. Weird that he has the Rangers on his list. They have a superstar in Lundqvist, a fantastic backup in Talbot and a promising prospect in Skapski - no way he'll see NHL time there soon.

If the Flames can persuade him, I'd be all for it. Sign O'Connor and Gillies, re-sign Ramo, trade Hiller and go into next season with Ramo/Ortio in the NHL and Gillies/O'Connor in the AHL. One can dream, right?