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

[sureLoss]

From McKenzie's latest article on O'Connor (a good read btw on O'Connor's road)

http://www.tsn.ca/a-tale-of-two-ncaa-prospects-1.243662

O’Connor is letting his family advisor Todd Reynolds of Uptown Sports deal with the considerable NHL interest. Most of the teams have called to express interest. Edmonton, Ottawa, Buffalo, the Rangers, Vancouver, Calgary and Philadelphia are believed to be amongst the most interested clubs with a chance to land him. Once his season ends, whether it’s a week Thursday or a week Saturday, it’s likely he’ll visit the NHL teams he’s serious about signing with.

"(NHL) teams have been respectful of me just playing and letting Todd handle the other stuff," O’Connor said. "If this does turn out to be my last (season) at BU, it’s been memorable. We’ve put up two banners (Beanpot champions and Hockey East champions) playing at the (TD) Garden this season and my only focus now is getting the third."

McKenzie saying there is a chance Calgary will land him.

[sureLoss]

http://www.nicholsonhockey.com/worth...-oilers-flames

Elliotte Friedman was on Calgary’s Sportsnet 960 on Monday morning.

On Matt O’Connor:

“Matt O’Connor, the goaltender from Boston University - he’s not going to play in the NHL this year because he’s made the Frozen Four.

"I’m under the impression that he has told Edmonton he will visit them. I don’t think he’s told Calgary yet that he will visit them – at least he hadn’t when I checked on Saturday – but I’m under the impression he will be visiting you guys somewhere toward after the season.”

[PeteMoss]

Edmonton would be smart to keep him away from an actual game. Imagine the atmosphere difference between an Oilers and Flames game at this point.

[Roof-Daddy]

I know I'm a Flames fan, and so this will sound biased......but why in the world would this guy (or any high profile UFA of any kind for that matter), who has considerable options to choose from, consider signing in Edmonton at this point?

Money? Can get that elsewhere
Opportunity? Can get that elsewhere

They are 100% a proven disaster of a franchise run by complete incompetents, and if you go there, especially as a young guy, you are risking your career being destroyed before it even begins. Especially as a goalie.

[wireframe]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I know I'm a Flames fan, and so this will sound biased......but why in the world would this guy (or any high profile UFA of any kind for that matter), who has considerable options to choose from, consider signing in Edmonton at this point?

Money? Can get that elsewhere
Opportunity? Can get that elsewhere

They are 100% a proven disaster of a franchise run by complete incompetents, and if you go there, especially as a young guy, you are risking your career being destroyed before it even begins. Especially as a goalie.

We have front row seats to the disaster in Edmonton. To me and you and every other Flames fan, it is brutally obvious that signing in Edmonton would be a mistake. But I wonder if players in the East get the same coverage of the McTavish show.

In summary, the only reason I can think for signing in Edmonton is naivete.

[Locke]

Naivety and the fact that he could believe that he'll jump right into a starter's position, thats an opportunity that he wouldnt get in any other franchise.

So he could potentially believe that he'd get a starting job and the pay that comes with it because you dont have to earn anything in Edmonton. They'll pay you what you want just for not ignoring them.

Just ask Justin Schultz.

[sureLoss]

@News1130Sports: The agent for B-U goalie Matt O’Connor, Todd Reynolds, tells me the #Canucks are still very much in the mix for his client.

@News1130Sports: Todd Reynolds : "Matt will be in Vancouver for a 1 day visit after in April, we will visit 5-6 teams in 3-4 day period." #Canucks

[saillias]

Oh trust me there is no such thing as naïveté among college UFAs. They've got their advisor/agent, and word of mouth about every team.

It probably is opportunity and organizational depth, just like it was with Justin Schultz. Hard to say no when a team promises you NHL time in the future. And these guys are just mercenaries anyway, only looking about 2-3 years ahead.

[Bingo]

I wouldn't blame him for looking at teams and their systems. Its not necessarily the NHL starter, its also the system.

The Oilers tell everyone that Brossoit is all they have in the system. Where as he'd know Gillies well, and probably see Ortio's season in the AHL and his stint in Calgary.

I wouldn't blame him for choosing Edmonton based on those facts.

Vancouver has Demco as well, which he's know.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I wouldn't blame him for looking at teams and their systems. Its not necessarily the NHL starter, its also the system.

The Oilers tell everyone that Brossoit is all they have in the system. Where as he'd know Gillies well, and probably see Ortio's season in the AHL and his stint in Calgary.

I wouldn't blame him for choosing Edmonton based on those facts.

Vancouver has Demco as well, which he's know.

I agree.

It would be nice to add him for organizational depth and I am sure he would have a chance with the Flames, but there are other organizations that are more desperate than us where he will likely have a better chance of being fast-tracked. It isn't always the best decision, but many college UFAs seem to lean that way.

[JiriHrdina]

Edmonton has probably the worst group of goaltenders top to bottom across the league. They have no legit starter and no legit prospect.
So he probably smells opportunity. Which there is.
Contrast that with Calgary where there are 3 legit prospects in the pipeline.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

From McKenzie's latest article on O'Connor (a good read btw on O'Connor's road)

http://www.tsn.ca/a-tale-of-two-ncaa-prospects-1.243662



McKenzie saying there is a chance Calgary will land him.

Same article says he played on the same team as Josh Jooris in Burlington before the NCAA. Hope Josh is talking to him!

[Street Pharmacist]

How could a goalie like O'Connor not see what happened to Scrivens and walk away?

His numbers are quite similar to Scrivens who pays great numbers on LA. The oilers have killed his career as with Dubnyk's. Why would he sign there?

[Da_Chief]

My take on the mentioned interested teams: Future opportunity ~ within 3-5 years.

Edmonton - Opportunity will be there, he only has to beat out Brossoit in the minors and will be given a chance to supplement whatever trash at NHL level they're playing. Future Opportunity score: 90%

Ottawa - Anderson, Hammond, Lehner have all played for them this year. Anderson signed for another 3 years, Lehner signed for 2 more. Here he has to beat out 3 guys clearly already ahead of him on the depth chart. Future Opportunity score: 20%

Buffalo - Easiest place to get playing time right away. He could be there with his teammate Eichel or if they win the lottery with McDavid. It would be a challenge but seeing how the fans are treating the current losing team? I would be very shy. Future Opportunity score: 100%

Rangers - Unless the King falls right off, I don't see anything more then a backup place for him for next few years. They have some unknown G prospects but at least they've been in the system longer then him. Future Opportunity score: 10%

Vancouver - They have Miller signed for another 2 years. Lack has looked decent. They have Demko developing in the College ranks. At this point I'm sure even they've given up on Markstrom who sucks at the NHL level. I don't really see a spot for him here. Future Opportunity score: 30%

Calgary - With no clear cut starter for next year but prospects that are coming fast in Ortio, Gillies and MacDonald. If Ortio grabs a spot next and runs with it the opportunity quickly fizzles away with Flames having their own prospect they would want to play in the AHL. Future Opportunity score: 50%

Philadelphia - A good team with decent G currently in Mason. No decent backup and their best G prospect has struggled in transitioning from OHL to AHL so far. Future Opportunity score: 80%

If I was Connor and taking into consideration the current teams, future opportunity, fans etc. This is how I would rank them.

1. Philadelphia - Decent team, great fans, good city, only a Mason bad outing/injury away from starting.
2. Buffalo - Only knock is current losing culture but in their good times their fans are great.
3. Edmonton - The opportunity to start can potentially be there next season.
4. Calgary - He has to beat out Ortio and Gilies just to get a NHL spot.
5. Vancouver - 2 starters in place and a decent prospect so 3 goalies ahead of him.
6. Ottawa - Too many goalies ahead of him but Ottawa does attract a few of these UFA NCAA guys.
7. Rangers - Great team and best city but will spend a lot of time in the Minors imo.

There you go Connor, I've done your work for you.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

How could a goalie like O'Connor not see what happened to Scrivens and walk away?

His numbers are quite similar to Scrivens who pays great numbers on LA. The oilers have killed his career as with Dubnyk's. Why would he sign there?

I think a lot of it has to do with perception versus reality. He would see that hes got a great shot at a job and money right away. Nobody really thinks about how soul-crushing all the losing is.

They probably figure that so long as they're getting paid they can deal with it.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Locke

I think a lot of it has to do with perception versus reality. He would see that hes got a great shot at a job and money right away. Nobody really thinks about how soul-crushing all the losing is.

They probably figure that so long as they're getting paid they can deal with it.

I don't know about that. He likely has one shot at proving himself to get in the door and become a full time NHLer. Why do that in front of that defence?

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Locke

I think a lot of it has to do with perception versus reality. He would see that hes got a great shot at a job and money right away. Nobody really thinks about how soul-crushing all the losing is.

They probably figure that so long as they're getting paid they can deal with it.

They also probably think they will be good eventually..

Which we know likely won't happen.

[nik-]

If I was a goalie prospect, I wouldn't be picking Calgary as my destination. Just too many people to jump over at this point. He could possibly tandem with Gillies on the farm next year, but I don't think the organization is going to want two rookies in the AHL. So it's likely going to be Gillies and a vet.

[sureLoss]

Perhaps bringing in O'Connor gives the Flames the depth necessary to move one of Ortio or Gillies to address another hole without feeling like they are leaving a hole in the pipeline. Just saying.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by nik-

If I was a goalie prospect, I wouldn't be picking Calgary as my destination. Just too many people to jump over at this point. He could possibly tandem with Gillies on the farm next year, but I don't think the organization is going to want two rookies in the AHL. So it's likely going to be Gillies and a vet.

I agree, Calgary is a tough one. Theres Ramo and Hiller who are going to need a decision and its a foregone conclusion that Ortio is the next guy, but to what extent and at what level.