As usual, Elliotte Friedman broke news of a high-profile signing on Saturday afternoon:

O'Connor to Ottawa — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 9, 2015

That was it.

After weeks of speculation about where the suddenly-famous Matt O’Connor would sign, Friedman confirmed that the Ottawa Senators had won the sweepstakes. The 6’6, undrafted college star was pursued aggressively by several teams, settling on a two-year, entry-level deal in Ottawa.

As per General Fanager:

Matt O'Connor, 2 years @ $925,000 w/ estimated $92,500 signing bonus. Reported by @SportsnetSpec http://t.co/YKrOxfAPKk — General Fanager (@generalfanager) May 9, 2015

What can Senators fans expect from the Boston University product? Will the O’Connor signing result in the trade of another of the Sens’ goalies? Let’s take a closer look.

Matt O’Connor Scouting Report

Boston University free agent goaltender Matt O'Connor has finally made his decision http://t.co/YDRyqTSU3B pic.twitter.com/GKVJK4jGHg — SBN College Hockey (@SBNCollegePuck) May 9, 2015

O’Connor hadn’t earned much attention prior to the 2014-15 season. As a late-blooming, lanky goaltender, he remained undrafted. Now 23, the Boston University stopper has garnered more attention, at least in part because his BU Terriers squad was the home of highly-touted draft prospect Jack Eichel.

In March, Sean LaFortune offered his thoughts after watching O’Connor play:

The Toronto native has impressive raw tools that everyone looks for in new-age goaltenders, he’s big (6’6) and athletic. He’s not a puck blocker, but his lateral mobility and agility are impressive…while I can see the intrigue, patience will be required, he’s got a while to go. Very raw from a positional standpoint, he’s almost too mobile, losing his crease and reacting. It’s a cliche, but he needs to learn to allow the game to come to him, as opposed to getting uber aggressive and reactive. That said, a free lunch is a free lunch…

LaFortune’s scouting report highlights that BU’s star goalie faces the same challenges that plague young goaltenders; raw positional sense, impatience, and highly reactionary play.

But, two other points are key – O’Connor is blessed with impressive agility/mobility. And he’s essentially free, costing only the money required to ink his entry-level contract. No draft pick investment. No need to deal away a player.

DJ Powers at Hockey’s Future weighed in on the collegiate as well, writing:

One of the attributes that makes O’Connor so attractive to NHL teams is his 6’5” and 204-pound frame. He possesses great athleticism and moves remarkably well for such a big netminder. O’Connor has blossomed into one of the nation’s most reliable goaltenders, demonstrating that he can not only keep his teams in games but also help win them. O’Connor is a goaltender who gets better with the more shots that he faces. He has greatly improved limiting second opportunities and is more aggressive in challenging shooters.

Powers’ overview points out a couple of features that should excite Sens fans. O’Connor improves as he faces more shots and he’s learning to limit rebound opportunities. Both great signs.

For a taste of his development over the course of 2014-15, take a look at this nice summary piece including interviews from O’Connor’s coaches and teammates:

Projecting to the AHL and NHL

O’Connor has played his last three seasons at Boston University, where his stats have improved each year:

GP W GAA SV% 2012-13 19 8 2.86 .910 2013-14 22 7 2.89 .920 2014-15 35 25 2.18 .927

*stats courtesy of hockeydb.com

Over three seasons, O’Connor played 76 games. The towering goalie averaged a 2.56 goals against average and a .921 save percentage over the course of his career at BU. These college-level stats won’t translate directly to the AHL or NHL. Not right away, anyway, and maybe not ever.

But, for some context, Winnipeg Jets prospect Connor Hellebuyck posted 2.58 goals against average and a 9.21 save percentage in the AHL last year. He finished tenth in the AHL in save percentage, 27th in goals against. If O’Connor starts in Binghamton in 2015-16 and his skills and stats carry over, O’Connor would be an AHL-level starter – something between the middle and bottom tier of the top-30 AHL netminders.

That’s a great scenario for the Senators.

"Ottawa is a great place for me to develop as a goalie." – Matt O'Connor READ: http://t.co/tZETzCqrwA pic.twitter.com/74lC8r7jM1 — Ottawa Senators (@Senators) May 9, 2015

At the NHL level, the average goaltender stat line last season was a 2.52 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. No one would expect O’Connor’s statistics in college to remain the same at the NHL-level. At least, not without a couple of years of development with the farm team. But, if his college stats did stay steady and transfer to the NHL (or if O’Connor’s college statistics are the top-end of his NHL potential performance), O’Connor’s three-season averages would position him around or just slightly ahead of the average NHL goaltender.

These projections and comparisons are best used for keeping his performance in some perspective and not about suggesting that O’Connor is set to step into the NHL next season and perform as well as an average starter.

Depth Chart Shuffle

You'd have to think one of Craig Anderson or Robin Lehner will be traded this summer. Crowded #sens crease right now. — Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 9, 2015

The Senators now have the (fortunate) problem of having too many goalies at the top-end of their depth chart. Craig Anderson shone when he returned to the crease in the playoffs. His .972 save percentage continues to lead all goalies in the postseason who have played more than one game.

Andrew Hammond appears to be interested in remaining in town and the Senators claim that interest is mutual. The Hamburglar built a ton of good will in Ottawa after powering the Sens to the post-season.

And Robin Lehner, still recovering from a concussion, has already played 86 NHL games and is only one year older than O’Connor. His upside and experience make him an attractive long-term piece for the Senators.

As usual, the Oilers and Sabres rise to the top of any trade rumours involving young goaltenders. And while the Oilers would be a logical fit for Lehner, writer Stefan Wolejszo notes that the regime change in Edmonton may snuff out old rumours:

@SeanTierneyTSS @asmae_t I wonder about whether old rumors with Edm still have value now that Chiarelli has taken over. — Stefan Wolejszo (@StefanWolejszo) May 9, 2015

The depth chart is difficult to predict before knowing what Hammond will do but a likely scenario looks like this:

NHL AHL Starter Anderson O’Connor Backup Hammond Driedger

As long as Lehner can recover from his concussion trouble, a second or third round pick for the young goalie seems reasonable.

Regardless of how the depth chart shakes down, the Ottawa Senators did well to add a young goaltender with upside to their depth charts by inking the free agent college star. Matt O’Connor gives Bryan Murray options and flexibility in the trade market as he reshapes his club for another run at the playoffs next season.

The Sens bear watching as the NHL draft approaches – it seems almost certain that one netminder is on the way out of Ottawa.

What do you think, Sens fans? Are you happy that the Senators landed college free agent Matt O’Connor? Or should Murray be focused on addressing areas of roster needs rather than tinkering with already-strong areas of the roster?