Okposo’s Future With the Team?

[Doohicksie]

I agree... no reason to offer him anything yet.  *He* might not even know if he wants a few more years.  Keep channels open and talk, but no reason to act before late next season.

[Pimlach]

20 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

I’ve added another option to the Poll.  I’ve added letting him walk when his contract ends.

If he stays healthy I sincerely doubt KA let’s him walk for nothing.  However if he gets hurt, which is a distinct possibility then it could come to pass.

I think he is done when the contract is over.  
 

He keeps the A unless it’s decided by the team that he gets the C.  I think Tuch will get it though. 
 

He would be an excellent 4th liner for the next two years.  

Edited April 5, 2022 by Pimlach

[dudacek]

Okposo’s future with the team should be whatever he wants it to be.

Before then, can we please stop referring to him as a 4th liner?

He’s 3rd on the team in goals, 4th in points. He’s playing nearly 17 minutes a game and contributing to both special teams while being both a physical presence and decent defensively. 

He’s probably going to finish the year with 20 goals and close to 50 points, totals good enough to rank in the top 25 in the entire NHL for right wings. And he’s the central figure in setting the new tone for this team that we are all coming to appreciate both on and off the ice.

Give the man the respect he deserves.

Edited April 5, 2022 by dudacek

[PerreaultForever]

35 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

He keeps the A unless it’s decided by the team that he gets the C.  I think Tuch will get it though. 

He better.  Kyle is on the team he can keep an A but it would be madness to not give Tuch the C. 

[SHAAAUGHT!!!]

I think he plays another 1-2 years after this contract expires, but $4M a year is WAY too much and I hope they don't do that.  I think $4-5M for 2 years is appropriate.  A lot of these 30+ players don't mind taking less money to be somewhere they want to be and I don't think someone else signs him for more $ with his injury history.

[Doohicksie]

9 hours ago, Pimlach said:

He be an excellent 4th liner for 5he next two years.  

His contract ends after next season.

[Doohicksie]

19 minutes ago, SHAAAUGHT!!! said:

I think he plays another 1-2 years after this contract expires, but $4M a year is WAY too much and I hope they don't do that.  I think $4-5M for 2 years is appropriate.  A lot of these 30+ players don't mind taking less money to be somewhere they want to be and I don't think someone else signs him for more $ with his injury history.

On the other hand, if paying him $4M per year keeps Kevyn from having to do another Johnny Boychuck type of transaction (i.e., we're still too close to the cap floor), pay the man.

[Rasmus_]

I put to wait until next season and extend him for 3M or so for 2 seasons.  He's been awesome for this team. 

[Doohicksie]

Honestly I think this will come down to discussion between Kyle and Kevyn, and I expect it will be more about Kyle's wishes than anything else.  If he feels he's got more in the tank, why wouldn't Kevyn keep him on?

[Pimlach]

10 hours ago, dudacek said:

Okposo’s future with the team should be whatever he wants it to be.

Before then, can we please stop referring to him as a 4th liner?

He’s 3rd on the team in goals, 4th in points. He’s playing nearly 17 minutes a game and contributing to both special teams while being both a physical presence and decent defensively. 

He’s probably going to finish the year with 20 goals and close to 50 points, totals good enough to rank in the top 25 in the entire NHL for right wings. And he’s the central figure in setting the new tone for this team that we are all coming to appreciate both on and off the ice.

Give the man the respect he deserves.

Sure, he is having an excellent year.  He has a chance to get the C next year as well. But he is 34 and a forward with a history of injuries and concussions.  I would not extend him now.  I would let him play it out and see what he has left.   If he gets extended he will likely end his career on the 4th line.  What’s the hurry for?  
 

The next contract should not be whatever he wants it to be.  It should be dictated by what is in his tank next season.   
 

You are being emotional about it, which is not a good thing for a GM. 
 

Edited April 5, 2022 by Pimlach

[dudacek]

6 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Sure, he is having an excellent year.  He has a chance to get the C next year as well. But he is 34 and a forward with a history of injuries and concussions.  I would not extend him now.  I would let him play it out and see what he has left.   If he gets extended he will likely end his career on the 4th line.  What’s the hurry for?  
 

The next contract should not be whatever he wants it to be.  It should be dictated by what is in his tank next season.   
 

You are being emotional about it, which is not a good thing for a GM. 
 

Didn’t mean that as literally give him whatever term and money he asks for.

I meant if Kyle wants to be traded at the deadline, trade him wherever he wants to go; if he wants to stay, keep him regardless of offers; if he wants to retire, offer him a job in the organization; and if he wants to return, sign him to a short-term deal at a fair but generous rate for his performance level.

Don’t steer him with a particular agenda, let him take the lead. He’s earned it.

Whatever path he picks is highly unlikely to handcuff the Sabres and the younger players need to be sent a message about how this organization is going to treat its good soldiers.

[Pimlach]

4 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Didn’t mean that as literally give him whatever term and money he asks for.

I meant if Kyle wants to be traded at the deadline, trade him wherever he wants to go; if he wants to stay, keep him regardless of offers; if he wants to retire, offer him a job in the organization; and if he wants to return, sign him to a short-term deal at a fair but generous rate for his performance level.

Don’t steer him with a particular agenda, let him take the lead. He’s earned it.

Whatever path he picks is highly unlikely to handcuff the Sabres and the younger players need to be sent a message about how this organization is going to treat its good soldiers.

That clarifies it. 

I expect Adams and Kyle will talk through it before the season starts.  But we don’t need to extend him right now, let’s see how it plays out.  

 

[French Collection]

Kyle plays in his 900th game tonight.

Perhaps 1000 is a goal of his and he will need another contract to get that done.

I think there is mutual respect in place and KA will work with him to facilitate getting to his goals.

I don’t see KO as a guy that hangs on too long.

[Doohicksie]

2 hours ago, Pimlach said:

The next contract should not be whatever he wants it to be.  It should be dictated by what is in his tank next season.  

I think he's got a good gauge on where he stands. 

And even if, say, they sign him for 2 years at $4M/year and he doesn't fulfill the second year, I'd much rather pay Kyle Okposo to not play to meet the cap floor than Johnny Boychuck (or whatever other contract KA might dig up).

[Buffalonill]

3 hours ago, The Ghost of Yuri said:

Honestly I think this will come down to discussion between Kyle and Kevyn, and I expect it will be more about Kyle's wishes than anything else.  If he feels he's got more in the tank, why wouldn't Kevyn keep him on?

He probably wants a shot at a cup 

[Doohicksie]

5 minutes ago, Buffalonill said:

He probably wants a shot at a cup 

Then the Sabres need to win one for him.

[Buffalonill]

20 minutes ago, The Ghost of Yuri said:

Then the Sabres need to win one for him.

Sadly they will be in the mix when hes retired 

[Doohicksie]

THEY NEED TO WIN ONE FOR HIM.

 

😉

[Buffalonill]

13 minutes ago, The Ghost of Yuri said:

THEY NEED TO WIN ONE FOR HIM.

 

😉

🙊

[GASabresIUFAN]

4 hours ago, The Ghost of Yuri said:

His contract ends after next season.

Thus the reason for this thread.

Edited April 5, 2022 by GASabresIUFAN

[Doohicksie]

2 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Thus the reason for this thread.

Yeah, I think I misread @Pimlach's post.  I took it to mean he understood that Kyle was under contract for two more years.  He doesn't say that though.  Blame that one on me.

[GASabresIUFAN]

4 hours ago, The Ghost of Yuri said:

Yeah, I think I misread @Pimlach's post.  I took it to mean he understood that Kyle was under contract for two more years.  He doesn't say that though.  Blame that one on me.

No you read his post correctly.  I think he misread that KO had two years left since when you look at capfriendly it shows this year's contract and next.   I started this thread because I think KO deserves the C for next season, but I don't think the Sabres just want him to play out his contract.  I think it would be a great show of faith in his leadership and continued skill if they give him an extension and the C at the same time.

I did say I'm in the wait and see camp, but I also understand that KO and KA may want to make that statement this summer.  I believe that KO is among the most popular Sabres with the fans and it would be great for the franchise both PR and in the lockerroom to get this done quickly.

Edited April 5, 2022 by GASabresIUFAN

[ddaryl]

let him ride out his contract, then decide if he wants/deserves one more... I don't see a scenario where we would sign him to another multi-year deal