Kyle Okposo's letter to Sabres fans

[PromoTheRobot]

 

Kyle Okposo: Thank you for a special Opening Night

"The season is 82 games. We played one. There are going to be ups and downs, and we know that. 

But there are two things I want Sabres fans to know they can expect from us moving forward. 

Number one: We are going to work. You should see our effort every single night. 

Number two: We are going to play a brand of hockey that's exciting to watch. Hopefully, we showed that last night. 

I'll be honest, winning on opening night meant a lot to me. There has been a lot said about our team over the last five months. I just wanted to come out on the right foot and show people the way we know we're capable of playing. 

It's been apparent since the start of training camp that we have a hungry group here. We go out and practice for over an hour and guys ask to keep going. We hang out in the locker room afterward and shoot the breeze.

It reminds me of when I was a young player, even before I was in the NHL. Guys just want to play. That's all that matters here. 

It's the same way outside of the rink. We enjoy each other's company. All of us who were in town went to the Bills opener against Pittsburgh. Guys came over to my house to play basketball. I know Mittsy's place has become the hangout spot for the young guys. 

At the front of it all is Donny. A lot of what you saw last night is because of the way he's prepared us. His philosophy is to practice harder than you play. That hard work translated to our effort as the game went on.

The entertaining brand of hockey I mentioned? That's Donny too. It's not that he's telling us to go out there and be exciting. The style he preaches just makes it that way. Make small passes. Be confident. Pressure the puck. Support each other. 

He's telling us to play like we did when we were 12 years old, essentially. It really is a ton of fun for us. 

Let's just call a spade a spade. We knew the building wouldn't be packed for opening night. But we wanted to leave an impression on the people who were there and who we knew were at home watching on TV. I know we were able to do that by the reactions of the people in the building. They were loud, electric and enthusiastic. That's the kind of hockey we want to play also. The kind that brings people out of their seats like it did on night one. 

I know the opportunity we have here. I made Buffalo my full-time home three years ago. My family and I spend summers exploring the area and getting to know people around town. My kids have grown up here. This Minnesota guy can even call himself a Bills fan now. 

I know how much what we do means to you. I saw it again last night. It was amazing to hear the way people reacted to the subtleties of the game. 

Hagger blocks a shot. Andy makes a big save on the PK. I beat a guy in the neutral zone. The crowd just went crazy, every single time.

And we fed off it. Something I'll remember from last night is how midway through the game, you could just feel the momentum shifting to our side. And we just kept pushing and pushing.

We were having fun. The fans were having fun. Everybody in the building meshed, I think, for the first time in a long time.

We expect to earn more of those nights going forward."

[Stoner]

I gotta say. So far Sabres PR is knocking it over the glass, with no penalty.

[PromoTheRobot]

2 minutes ago, PASabreFan said:

I gotta say. So far Sabres PR is knocking it over the glass, with no penalty.

Maybe it was Kyle's idea. He pretty much acknowledged the players hear and see what is said about them and wanted to respond. But you're right, it is exactly what fans need to see from these guys. "Calling a spade a spade."

[French Collection]

LEADERSHIP

[Huckleberry]

I know Mittsy's place has become the hangout spot for the young guys. 

 

I read last year he was showing some leadership, good to see.

[K-9]

Almost seems like an indictment against previous teams. 

[DHawerchuk10]

This guy gets it!  I pray for Okposo’s health, because this guy could be very beloved by the fan base if he can stay on the ice.

[bob_sauve28]

10 minutes ago, K-9 said:

Almost seems like an indictment against previous teams. 

Seriously! And they sure love Coach G!! 

[Cal Naughton Jr]

I hope more people show up to today’s game. Thursday nights game had such a different vibe to it. I’m more of a Bills fan than a Sabres fan but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the sabres since opening night. Let’s keep it rolling today 

[Curt]

This is nice.  I often dismiss positive things said by NHLers because saying something vaguely positive is the default, but this is very specific.  Even if it was prompted by the Sabres PR in some way, Okposo still put a lot of himself into this letter and believes in what he wrote.  It’s nice.  I believe in the personal, human component as an important part of creating success.

[GoPuckYourself]

I have to admit they looked fast, they grinded out hard on the boards and dominated a team that made it to the Stanley Cup finals last season. I don't care who was in net for them we were supposed to be the 1 score and Montreal the 5. That's the most heart/grit/determination I've seen them play with in a very long time. Old man Anderson was excellent, still looks like he has plenty left in the tank. I don't know why but I really like this letter to almost like he was addressing it to us saying we may not win every game but we'll play hard which is what we were all hoping for, just be exciting and work your ass off!

[GASabresIUFAN]

45 minutes ago, K-9 said:

Almost seems like an indictment against previous teams. 

Or an indictment of previous leaders like ROR and Jack.

[JohnC]

Kyle Okposo is one of the most thoughtful players in the game. It doesn't matter what the setting is whenever he is asked questions his responses are well reasoned and presented. He is the example of how to always conduct oneself. He can be candidly critical about his and his team's performance but it is always done with dignity.

It wasn't too long ago that KO was asked about the Jack situation. His response showed an empathy for a player who was injured and has been a target of harsh criticism. Okposa was well aware of the situation that Jack probably would never again be part of the team. There were no cheap oblique remarks about the player or situation. He basically wished him the best. 

Kyle doesn't have to talk a lot to demonstrate his leadership. This is a gentleman whose mere presence and example indicate it for him.  And as demonstrated in the first game he can throw a devastating body checks when required!

[PromoTheRobot]

3 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Or an indictment of previous leaders like ROR and Jack.

Rob Ray said as much in a recent Instigators show. The Sabres were cliquish and some players were left out of the "cool kids club." 

[Zamboni]

Nice letter. It will be interesting to look back at that letter from time to time. Nice job KO.

[K-9]

3 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Rob Ray said as much in a recent Instigators show. The Sabres were cliquish and some players were left out of the "cool kids club." 

Brian Gionta has alluded to that on several occasions as well. He did a podcast in the summer where he also implied that certain guys were class one A holes in how they treated people in the building and that you can tell about character from observing that. He thinks KA has had years to observe that as well. 

[That Aud Smell]

I did not have “Okposo as a deep cut stealth favourite Sabre of all-time” on my hockey bingo card.

Edited October 16, 2021 by That Aud Smell

[GASabresIUFAN]

If they play with that effort every night they’ll win more then expected and bring back the fans.  If they don’t, then it’s just words.

[PromoTheRobot]

6 minutes ago, K-9 said:

Brian Gionta has alluded to that on several occasions as well. He did a podcast in the summer where he also implied that certain guys were class one A holes in how they treated people in the building and that you can tell about character from observing that. He thinks KA has had years to observe that as well. 

I have a theory that "The Process" installed by McDermott and Beane with the Bills is the template being applied to the Sabres now. It wouldn't shock me if Beane and McDermott shared some thoughts to the Pegulas and/or Adams on team building.

[K-9]

4 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

I have a theory that "The Process" installed by McDermott and Beane with the Bills is the template being applied to the Sabres now. It wouldn't shock me if Beane and McDermott shared some thoughts to the Pegulas and/or Adams on team building.

I wouldn’t be surprised by that, either. And I suspect KA would be open to that kind of collaboration, too. There’s an art to team building. I’ve spoken for years about what Marv used to call “football character” and see no reason why the same philosophy doesn’t apply to “hockey character.” Talented players are essential to winning, but it takes a certain kind of talented player. 

[bunomatic]

13 minutes ago, K-9 said:

I wouldn’t be surprised by that, either. And I suspect KA would be open to that kind of collaboration, too. There’s an art to team building. I’ve spoken for years about what Marv used to call “football character” and see no reason why the same philosophy doesn’t apply to “hockey character.” Talented players are essential to winning, but it takes a certain kind of talented player. 

You don’t have to reach into the football bag to find character or team character, team building philosophies etc. Teams have been doing it in the NHL for a century. Team building in the NHL isn’t lacking in any way. The Pegulas ability to see it and emulate the various models of how to do it has. 

Edited October 16, 2021 by bunomatic

[K-9]

5 minutes ago, bunomatic said:

You don’t have to reach into the football bag to find character or team character etc. Teams have been doing it in the NHL for a century. Team building in the NHL isn’t lacking in any way. The Pegulas ability to see it and emulate the various models of how to do it has. 

Not saying you do. Only saying that what embodies the character types you want on your team are the same. There is no differentiation between “football” character and “hockey” character. I only referenced the former given the context of @PromoTheRobot’s mentioning of McBeane possibly sharing ideas with KA across PSE company lines. 

Team building is lacking for some teams in all sports at various times. It’s an art. And the better teams are better at it. 

[bunomatic]

1 minute ago, K-9 said:

Not saying you do. Only saying that what embodies the character types you want on your team are the same. There is no differentiation between “football” character and “hockey” character. I only referenced the former given the context of @PromoTheRobot’s mentioning of McBeane possibly sharing ideas with KA across PSE company lines. 

Team building is lacking for some teams in all sports at various times. It’s an art. And the better teams are better at it. 

True. Maybe the Pegulas finally get it? We can only hope.

[Gatorman0519]

As McDermott did when he first got here he cut the cancer. Everyone not on board got shipped out. I have a strong suspicion Jack is a huge drag behind the scenes. 

[Mustache of God]

1 hour ago, Cal Naughton Jr said:

I hope more people show up to today’s game. Thursday nights game had such a different vibe to it. I’m more of a Bills fan than a Sabres fan but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the sabres since opening night. Let’s keep it rolling today 

Yesterday I read the letter, checked the weather and then snagged a pair of tickets for the game today. Hoping they can live up to the effort promise. One game is easy, but can they put in the work game after game? This team has lacked that kind of consistency since the tank started. I'm hoping this is actually a new start.

 

Go sabres