After an incredible season that saw Arizona State go all the way to the NCAA tournament, Joey Daccord is turning pro. The 22-year old goaltender has signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators and could even get into one of the last few games of the regular season. He’ll burn the first year of that deal this season, becoming a restricted free agent in the summer of 2020.
Originally a seventh-round pick of the Senators in 2015, Daccord has developed into a top goaltending prospect and dragged the Arizona State program along for the ride. The big goaltender recorded a 21-12-1 record this season while carrying a .926 save percentage along with seven shutouts. He was named a nominee for the Hobey Baker award and is a finalist for the Mike Richter Award as one of the best goaltenders in the country. Considered extremely pro-ready, Daccord will be the first hockey player from Arizona State to sign an NHL contract.
The Senators now have several top goaltending prospects in their system, as Daccord joins Filip Gustavsson and Marcus Hogberg on the organizational depth chart. That group is behind Craig Anderson who has one year left on his contract and Mike Condon who no longer has a clear role in the organization. It’s easy to see why Daccord would want to make the jump now, as there very well could be a competition for the NHL starting role as soon as 2020-21. With a year of pro experience under his belt that job could potentially be his, though there’s no guarantee that his play will translate to the next level.
jdgoat
Awesome. Definitely got a bit of a logjam but that’s a good problem to have.
MacJablonski--NotVegasLegend
Sorry, Gavin. Mike Condon does, in fact, have a clear role in the Sens organization: Primary lawn-mowing dude for E. Melnyk. Can expertly master and maintain those El-Cheapo Briggs & Stratton engines and knows the business end of the can of carb spray. Yep, Mike’s got *real* job security, as opposed those guys wearing skates…
Marner#16
Who? What? Likely another wasted pick. Know I’m sure Jd you will fill me on how great he is.