Earlier on Saturday, coveted Boston University goalie Matt O’Connor agreed to a two year entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators. The news came just about a month after O’Connor gave up a tough goal in the NCAA National Championship, a game which BU lost 4-3 to Providence.
Shaky NCAA Tournament aside, O’Connor was very good for the Terriers this past season, and showed real improvement in each of his three seasons as the starter for the team. He’s a legit professional prospect that is ready to make the jump in the fall.
O’Connor is likely best suited for AHL work during his rookie season, meaning he’ll be off to the farm next season in all likelihood.
So, with OC heading to Ottawa, what now for the Edmonton Oilers, one of the four finalists for his services?
The Shopping List:
Edmonton needs a starter at the NHL level, we know that. We also know that O’Connor would not have solved this problem next fall, so this was going to be a need regardless. With O’Connor off the market now, it opens up another hole however.
Laurent Brossoit is slated to be the starter in Bakersfield of the AHL next season, but the Condors will need a back-up goaltender. It’s absolutely vital that Edmonton have four guys in the organization that can actually play the position. Right now, they only have two, a backup in the NHL and a starter in the AHL.
In addition to finding a starter for the big club, Peter Chiarelli will now need to find a goalie to tandem with Brossoit in Bakersfield.
Targets:
The obvious answer is current AHL’er Richard Bachman, who has been more than solid for the Barons the past two seasons down on the farm. On top of that, Bachman has been solid in both of his NHL stints with Edmonton since joining the organization. He’d be my pick for another season, he’s proven he can handle the job.
Any number of UFA’s could fill this spot too in place of Bachman, it’s won’t be hard to find a veteran that can fill in for a season down on the farm. Good AHL goalies are a dime a dozen, so Edmonton shouldn’t have trouble filling this spot.
Trickle Effect To The Draft:
You best believe that today’s decision impacts Edmonton in the draft in June. With O’Connor gone, Edmonton will want to add a prospect in net to the system. Brossoit is certainly trending in the right direction, but both Kevan Bouchard and Zach Nagelvoort took steps back in their draft +1 seasons.
Of course, both Tyler Bunz and Frans Tuohimaa will likely be leaving the organization as free agents this summer, making goaltending a decided weakness at all levels. In addition to Scrivens, Brossoit, the new NHL starter and new AHL veteran, the Oil will likely want to add another prospect.
O’Connor would have scratched that itch, but I think it’s now certain that Edmonton looks to the entry draft instead. Bob Stauffer hinted at as much on Saturday morning on his twitter account, saying:
@Bob_Stauffer: Wouldn’t surprise me if the Oilers 2nd/3rd picks in 2015 Draft will be used to address organizational weakness in goal
That means a player like Mackenzie Blackwood, Ilya Samsonov or Daniel Vladar could be picked by Edmonton within the top 90 selections this June. Had OC signed, I promise you this would be a different situation.
Ottawa’s Trade Position:
With O’Connor in the fold now, the Senators will have some decisions to make. That heat gets turned up even more if Andrew Hammond ends up re-signing with the Senators, which is likely to happen at this point. It’ll be a logjam in Ottawa, and someone will have to break free.
Bob Stauffer hinted at Robin Lehner on twitter Saturday, and we know the Oilers have been interested in him before. Another guy who could hit the market? Another favorite of the Oilers, Craig Anderson, who we profiled earlier this week.
Even though Edmonton lost out on O’Connor himself, they may end up winning in the long run should Ottawa move one of their veteran netminders, which is an increasing possibility right now.
Final Thoughts:
The Oilers could have obtained a pro-ready prospect at a major position of need today, but the chips didn’t fall their way. It happens. The focus for the Oilers now must turn to the entry draft and adding a goaltending prospect that way.
The need at the NHL level remains the same, but now an AHL’er must be added to the fold as well. My vote? Bring back Richard Bachman and draft Mackenzie Blackwood or Ilya Samsonov in June.
We wait for the results.
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