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.
Perhaps you should listen to what McKenzie said. He said the list of teams includes (but does not say exclusive to) Edmonton, Ottawa, Buffalo and Rangers.
He also said that O'Connor would visit teams that he was interested in.
I am not saying Calgary is high on his list or a front runner, but if what Mark Spector says that O'Connor has or is planning a trip to Calgary is true, then there is mutual interest from both sides.
#20 seemed to give up pretty early and easy there. I'm not saying he could have stopped it, but the guy didn't even attempt anything with the puck more than a couple feet away from the goal. Should have dived for it or thrown the stick for the penalty shot at least.
TBH, any goalie coming out of junior or NCAA who thinks that they will be a starter at the NHL level right out the gate is in for a rough time. Especially one that goes undrafted.
I can only think of two current starting goalies that have gone this road in Fleury and Mason, and wonder how much better they would have been had they gone to the AHL first for some pro level seasoning.
Lundqvist is 33 now, and loads of fans in NY have started saying that he is slowing down for the type of game he plays (supposedly has always played deep in his net and relies on his lightning quick reflexes). If that is true, then NYR makes sense for an up and coming goalie to sign with that team. Talbot is good though.
The biggest danger is being stuck behind someone like Price or Rask - young and without a doubt the 'franchise' goalie that would be incredibly hard to displace within a few years. I think most goalies coming out of the NCAA know they will probably spend time in the AHL, but it is another thing when the best you can hope for is injuries giving you a chance one day regardless of how well you are doing.
O'Connor will get that chance in Calgary, Edmonton, Buffalo and a few other teams for sure. Ottawa is arguable - the Hamburgler has been absolutely lights-out, but there have been a number of goalies that enter the league and look that way, and then never seem to get established as a bona fide starter. Lalime is a prime example of that.
Even the "can't miss" types often miss, so teams that are deep and ranked really high organizationally aren't guaranteed anything. For example, guys like Markstrom, Lindback, Pogge, etc. I don't think O'Connor would be looking at Calgary with Ortio, Gillies and Ramo and thinking: "That is too much depth". He will probably look at it as "Nobody has claimed the starter's job there, and I will get the chance to do so". I didn't count Hiller as he is older and has only another year - I think everyone views him as a stop-gap for now with an expiry date coming at least within the next few seasons (and even if Calgary re-signs him past next year).
Just hope the kid realizes that going to Edmonton might mean his career gets screwed up, regardless of any promises management might make.
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I like that the Flames have shifted from the "lets put all our eggs in one basket" strategy when it comes to goaltending. Maybe it was a result of budget issues, but it seemed like the organization was content with having only one real goaltending prospect at a time. They spent years with Krahn, and again with Irving, expecting them to work out without a backup plan. I don't know what the magic formula / skill set is for NHL goalies, but it seems like having more competition is never a bad thing.
Mark Spector @SportsnetSpec
Matt O'Connor's B.U wins semi, will play again on Saturday. OTT, NYR, BUF and EDM all short-listed, VAN and CGY working still on UFA goalie
Does Edmonton think a visit to that city will be a selling point?
Here's the valley. Oh and here's our mall.
They blindfold the kid, building up suspense and the belief that he will be genuinely impressed .. Then never take the blindfold off, drive him back to the suport, and offer $6m
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Long time listener, first time caller.
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
. Rangers(Lundqvist & Talbot) and Sens(Hammond & Lehner) he'll end up as a backup or AHL.
