After adding Vladimir Tarasenko earlier this week, the Panthers have made another addition up front. They’ve acquired winger Kyle Okposo from the Sabres in exchange for defenseman Calle Sjalin and a conditional 2024 seventh-round pick. The pick will elevate to a fifth-round selection if Florida wins the Stanley Cup.
Okposo has served as Buffalo’s captain in each of the last two seasons, a fitting reward after eight years with the club. Florida will become just the third team that Okposo has played for in his 17-year career, which kicked off when the New York Islanders selected him seventh-overall in the 2006 NHL Draft, taking him in the same top 10 that featured Erik Johnson, Jonathan Toews, and Nicklas Backstrom. Okposo would play two seasons at the University of Minnesota before making his professional debut in the 2007-08 season and playing out his rookie NHL season in 2008-09. He scored 18 goals and 39 points in 65 games as a first-year, quickly establishing the reliable, top-six impact that he’s brought throughout his entire career. Okposo has since had five seasons of 50 or more points, including a career-high 69 points scored in the 2013-14 season. In full, he’s totalled 1045 games and 614 points in the NHL.
Okposo has only entered the open market once, signing a seven-year contract with the Sabres in the summer of 2016. He’s since played through some of Buffalo’s worst seasons, experiencing four different coaches and no playoff berths with the team. But he’s stuck through it all, providing a consistent impact in all three zones that he’s sure to bring to Florida now. His departure marks the end of an era for the Sabres, with Zemgus Girgensons the last Sabre from the 2016-17 team. Okposo is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and at 35, he’ll likely begin considering his future. But with this move to Florida, he’ll first get the chance to chase a Stanley Cup – an opportunity he hasn’t had much of across his 1,000-game career.
So I guess Kevin Adams wants to field a team of 18 defenseman and a goalie every night. I guess that’s one way to fix their defensive limitations with a coach that can’t coach defense!
Okposo was doing nothing but hogging a roster spot from a prospect. Good human, but over the hill player.
This was mostly a “thank you for your countless years of service and leadership” deal, they did him a favor to let him chase a Cup.
Buffalo has Rosen & Kulich to promote from Rochester. He also has Savoie & Ostlund signed to their ELCs as well so Buffalo doesn’t need anymore “prospect forwards”. Picking up another depth defenseman is not a bad move at all.
So I know he is a leader but the only layer on Flordia he will be replacing I would say is Stenlund..No way Lomberg or Gadjovich comes out of the lineup unless injuries
I don’t think Stenlund comes out. Likely more of a depth move I’m thinking. Doubt he plays every night.
That is for sure he will have to make a impact to stay in that lineup..
Gadjovich was the first one out, after acquireing Tarasenko. Guess its either Lomberg or Cousins he have to beat…
Just happy GMKA is moving on from some not producing veteran players.
Looks like the Sabres are trying to rearrange their defense!
Should be a good trade for both and good luck to Kyle O!!!!!