Kyle Okposo: Return of the Winger

[LGR4GM]

http://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/comeback-concussion-tougher-sabres-kyle-okposo-expected/ by Bill Hoppe

"It was a tough start, a really tough start mentally for me (Okposo) mentally and physically just coming back from last year.

 

Some think we should ditch Okposo. Some think not. I wonder how much his injury last impacted his return this year. Each game he seems to be more and more what I wanted out of him post free agency.  We need a player who is physically able to dominate in the corners, can shoot, can pass, and for the most part can compliment Eichel. I think healthy Okposo has been doing that in a way that Evander Kane didn't.  

Edited January 18, 2018 by LGR4GM

[Sabel79]

I will Stan for KO all day long. After his summer, it's really nice to see him getting back to his best. 100% keep.

[darksabre]

I'm worried about his age given the length of the contract. He's 29. He could bounce back next season, but how many more years do we really think he has left being a 50pt guy? 2? Maybe 3? 

We could be looking at Moulson 2.0 here. 

I trade him for the right price given the contract length, no knock against him otherwise. 

[That Aud Smell]

^

 

Agreed.

 

Cripes. The term of that deal already looks brutal.

 

I am encouraged to hear (and see) that he's rounding back into form.

[Brawndo]

Remember with his injury history he can be sent to Robidas Island if needed.

[dudacek]

I like Kyle more than just about any Sabre right now. He’s showed a lot of character battling back the way he has.

He’s not a great finisher, but he’ll give you 20. He’s very strong on the puck, has good vision, battles hard and is a leader.

 

I appreciate the Moulson concerns long-term.

But right now, Kyle is giving us exactly what we paid for.

[Doohicksie]

I believe I pegged KO as Captain material before the 4 As were announced.  Maybe early in the season he was still working his way back from last season's injury/hospitalization, but at this point I wouldn't mind seeing the C on his jersey, especially with his play over the last few dozen games.

Edited January 18, 2018 by Anordning

[That Aud Smell]

Okposo ~ chicken finger sub?

[LTS]

I'm a fan of Okposo.  I would like to get more out of him and I am sure he'd like that as well.  If this team weren't so crappy at scoring I am sure we would see more out of him.  He's not going to generate a ton of offense but I think he can help offense if there's enough around him.

[woods-racer]

IIRC Kyle's contract for the final year or two had his salary much lower than his cap hit. So he is very trade worthy at the end to teams that want to be at the cap floor at the lowest possible cost. 

 

Tank teams.

[LGR4GM]

IIRC Kyle's contract for the final year or two had his salary much lower than his cap hit. So he is very trade worthy at the end to teams that want to be at the cap floor at the lowest possible cost. 

 

Tank teams.

His last 2 years are at 4mil in salary. The next 3 years are at 6mil in salary. this year is at 8mil

[woods-racer]

His last 2 years are at 4mil in salary. The next 3 years are at 6mil in salary. this year is at 8mil

 

Yes, but his cap hit is 6 million. Will 4 mill per year actual payout  look bad come 2021 thru 23 compared to other salaries for teams ? I'm not sold that it's a horrendous contract and that he will be as out of step as much as Matt is in today's game. 

[LGR4GM]

I was just giving out the numbers. Really depends on the salary cap in 2021

Also keep in mind that there is a "sports bubble". This is the bubble that allows caps in the major sports to keep climbing. At some point that bubble will pop. 

[Huckleberry]

I like him, love seeing him bounce back, but he is really slow though.

[LGR4GM]

I like him, love seeing him bounce back, but he is really slow though.

He really isn't that slow. Jack Eichel is just that fast. 

[MattPie]

I was just giving out the numbers. Really depends on the salary cap in 2021

Also keep in mind that there is a "sports bubble". This is the bubble that allows caps in the major sports to keep climbing. At some point that bubble will pop. 

 

I don't when that'll happen, but I know it'll be the Millennials' fault.

[French Collection]

I don't believe he will be Moulson 2.0 because even if he loses a step he can still win a puck battle. He is way more physical and stronger on the puck.

 

I do think the term is too long, and he will have to be spotted in and out of the lineup near the end of that contract.

 

Moulson just did not have any compete left in him.

[North Buffalo]

I don't when that'll happen, but I know it'll be the Millennials' fault.

And don't you forget it...  don't worry Gen Xers won't let you :P

[MattPie]

And don't you forget it...  don't worry Gen Xers won't let you :P

 

I'm actually GenX, but I identify more with Millenials

[nfreeman]

I agree that KO's play has been much better for the last 4-6 weeks, and am no longer concerned that he's already reached Moulson-level ineptitude -- which seemed to be the case for the first couple of months of the season.

 

He brings a lot to the table, with a good all-around offensive game, and is a capable, if overpaid, top-6 winger.

 

However, he does have limitations.  He's probably the 2nd-slowest forward on the team after Reino, he wins puck battles but doesn't hit much or intimidate, he's nothing special in the defensive zone, and I'm not inclined to give any Sabre credit for leadership given the train wreck we've seen this year.

 

I'd probably rather have the cap space than have him and his contract on the Sabres, but no one is going to take that contract, so we need to get used to him being here long-term.  Again, though, it could be a lot worse.  I'd expect him to continue to produce at his current level for most of the remainder of his contract.

[Doohicksie]

I don't believe he will be Moulson 2.0 because even if he loses a step he can still win a puck battle. He is way more physical and stronger on the puck.

 

I do think the term is too long, and he will have to be spotted in and out of the lineup near the end of that contract.

 

Moulson just did not have any compete left in him.

 

Of course by 2022 $6M per year will be like a $2M cap hit today...

[GASabresIUFAN]

Fyi folks: KO has 9 pts in his last 9 games and 25 pts in his last 36 games. That’s a 57 pt pace, which is right on his recent career numbers. Take away the 1st nine games and his is mostly giving us what we are paying for.

[woods-racer]

Of course by 2022 $6M per year will be like a $2M cap hit today...

 

I wasn't going that far. It might be more than what he is worth, but not outrageously more. Or, he could be putting up the same numbers he is today and some team will find him to be a great bargain compared to the salary increases for the same type player because of the increasing cap and we get a great trade.

[matter2003]

Return of the Mack?

[LTS]

I had no issues with Okposo and I still don't.  He's looking like a great fit with Eichel.  They seem to work off each other really well in pressuring the puck and the passing is generally there as well.