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

[Cheerio]

I imagine this points towards Gillies taking another year in the NCAA

[Vulcan]

The good thing about signing a UFA goalie out of college is they've already had some good experience so you have a better idea of their worth and we can also save a draft pick.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

I imagine this points towards Gillies taking another year in the NCAA

why? They could always go with both Gillies and O'Connor in the AHL and sign a veteran to an AHL deal to guide them.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by devo22

why? They could always go with both Gillies and O'Connor in the AHL and sign a veteran to an AHL deal to guide them.

O'Connor isn't going to sign somewhere he has competition for the AHL starter job, with the potential for him to start in the ECHL as Gillies has put up better stats than him every year. Rolling with 2 rookie goalies in the AHL is very risky and I don't know if Huska would like that. If Gillies is staying in school then it makes sense for O'Connor to sign in Calgary, spend a year in Stockton, before Gillies gets there and be the first choice of call up behind Ortio and Hiller. If Gillies leaves school O'Connor would be 4th on the depth chart. Not appealing for a sought after UFA

[dustygoon]

So a team thinks telling this new goalie that they will kick one of their existing goalies to the curb to make room is a good thing? How does that make them more attractive? Unbelievable.

EDIT: it must be deadmonton

[GioforPM]

Does Edmonton think a visit to that city will be a selling point?

Here's the valley. Oh and here's our mall.

[dustygoon]

nm

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Does Edmonton think a visit to that city will be a selling point?

Here's the valley. Oh and here's our mall.

And here is the dumpster fire where we put jerseys tossed on the ice after every game.

Here is the corridor that you will need to walk through and get booed by fans.

Here are the school children that will tell you to your face that you suck.


There will be a lot for them to show him.

[AC]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Does Edmonton think a visit to that city will be a selling point?

Here's the valley. Oh and here's our mall.

It reminds me of the Simpsons episode where they extinguish the Springfield tire fire to impress the Olympic committee that's visiting.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Does Edmonton think a visit to that city will be a selling point?

Here's the valley. Oh and here's our mall.

Definitely don't take him to an Oilers game.

"Watch Scrivens as he gets shell shocked. See the look of utter defeat in his face? That could be you Connor!"

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

I imagine this points towards Gillies taking another year in the NCAA

I doubt Gillies has made that decision yet and I would be surprised if he decides to stay in the NCAA for another season. No benefit for him to do that besides finishing his degree.

[Toonage]

Oilers have any more of those DVDs? Save the kid a trip.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

Definitely don't take him to an Oilers game.

"Watch Scrivens as he gets shell shocked. See the look of utter defeat in his face? That could be you Connor!"

The Flames should send the video of Schultz handing the puck to Tanguay last night. Haven't seen many worse giveaways.

[SofaProfessor]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The Flames should send the video of Schultz handing the puck to Tanguay last night. Haven't seen many worse giveaways.

Just another bump in the road on the way to a Norris trophy.

[Muta]

I would assume O'Connor isn't oblivious to the way that Gaudreau has been treated here, same with Arnold. He also knows that other college guys like Morrison, Gilles, Hanowski, Hathaway and Agostino have gotten, or will get, chances here.

I'm sure he's also aware that Calgary is a young, exciting team on the way up. He could come here and make many friends, especially ones his age on the team.

It's also being overseen by one of the best in the business (Burke) and managed by a young management team (Treliving and Conroy) that seem ecstatic to give young guys chances.

Plus, all the 15+ degree weather we've been having lately, unlike the other Canadian teams!

Lots to like about coming to Calgary right now.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Does Edmonton think a visit to that city will be a selling point?

Here's the valley. Oh and here's our mall.

It'll be like a kidnapping in the movies, where they grab him at the airport and put a bag over his head. Then, they'll drive him to the new arena construction site, show his some drawings and a couple of photos from the 80s. Then, it'll be bag back on the head and another long drive to Nisku.

Originally Posted by Fire

I doubt Gillies has made that decision yet and I would be surprised if he decides to stay in the NCAA for another season. No benefit for him to do that besides finishing his degree.

IIRC, he was ready to sign last spring but Burke thought he needed one more year in College and didn't offer him a contract. I expect Gillies to sign within 72 hours of the final buzzer of Providence's last game.

[savardandjokinen]

Ortio
Gillies
O'connor
Macdonald

What kind of goalie depth is that
Ortio backup on the NHL team next year, gillies and o'connor as the AHL goalies and Macdonald still in junior, go flames!

[savardandjokinen]

If he goes to Edmonton he is going to suck though!

[jar_e]

FWIW, McKenzie said on TSN that Oilers/Sens were the front runners for Canadian teams, Sabres/Rangers in the states.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

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

Bobby Mc didn't even mentioned Calgary as one of the interested teams in Canada. He mentioned Edmonton, Ottawa, Buffalo and NY Rangers on TSN. I think the best bet for him is to go with Buffalo Sabres especially if McDavid or Eichel will be there next season anyways. Sabres does not have a legitimate starter right now. So if he wants to start right away that would be the team. Edmonton is another option but I think O'Connor is too smart to go to Edmonton . Rangers(Lundqvist & Talbot) and Sens(Hammond & Lehner) he'll end up as a backup or AHL.