Free-agent goaltender Matt O’Connor from Boston University is reportedly talking to three teams: the Vancouver Canucks, the New York Rangers and the Ottawa Senators. The widely-praised netminder previously was linked to as many as 14 organizations, but the list has considerably narrowed as O’Connor focuses in on a select few teams.
Boston College UFA G Matt O'Connor talking to #Senators #Canucks #Rangers. Wants to work with goalie coach that will take him to next level.
— Louis Jean (@LouisJeanMedia) May 3, 2015
During his senior year at BU, O’Connor was outstanding and finished the year with a 2.18 GAA and a save percentage of .927. Those are some impressive numbers, but the difference between collegiate talent and NHL talent is so vast (duh) that it’s almost impossible to predict how O’Connor will fare in the NHL. Still, he has shown enough upside to have nearly half the league reaching out with a contract.
O’Connor is aware that he’ll need an outstanding coach to take his game to the next level, but that hasn’t prevented some teams from promising NHL time as early as 2015-16. It’s difficult to imagine the Canucks, Senators or Rangers throwing O’Connor into real NHL games as early as next season, but it sounds like O’Connor is prepared to take on a role in the minors if the coach is right.
