Captain doing captain things

[Sidc3000]

Okie was very noticeably last night and played like he was possessed. He was rewarded with his first goal of the season. He wasn’t just showing it on the ice, I guess Okie gave a locker room speech that inspired the young players. I know many people hate having him on the team but they need some sort of senior leadership and Kyle is doing what he’s here to do. Be a leader. 
 

Let’s see if this continues tonight. 
 

Okposo's intermission speech rallied Sabres vs. Penguins: 'Just go'

[French Collection]

1 minute ago, Sidc3000 said:

Okie was very noticeably last night and played like he was possessed. He was rewarded with his first goal of the season. He wasn’t just showing it on the ice, I guess Okie gave a locker room speech that inspired the young players. I know many people hate having him on the team but they need some sort of senior leadership and Kyle is doing what he’s here to do. Be a leader. 
 

Let’s see if this continues tonight. 
 

Okposo's intermission speech rallied Sabres vs. Penguins: 'Just go'

It’s about time, he was pretty much invisible for the other 19 games this season. Invisible might be the wrong term, ineffective would be better.

I was meh about his return because of his declining skills. I know he is well respected and is a great person but I was hoping for a change in leadership. I see him as a quality person, showing these guys how to be pros and great people. What I don’t see is a guy that has tons of playoff experience, won a lot and can contribute enough to lead by example.

EJ brings this element so that has helped.

It sounds like I want KO gone but I just wish he was load managed to maximize his performance.

Maybe last night helps him stay at that level for a bit. His slow legs may show up vs NJD on a back to back.

[LTS]

This is where an extra vet leader or two come into play.  Erik Johnson was a good addition for that reason. They just need one more.  KO knows he's hanging on, he's not naive.

But, glad he got them going last night.

[Weave]

As Stamkos so infamously stated, its an 85% league, but Okie’s message in the 2nd intermission was, clearly this team still needs to be playing at 100% to win.

[French Collection]

2 minutes ago, Weave said:

As Stamkos so infamously stated, its an 85% league, but Okie’s message in the 2nd intermission was, clearly this team still needs to be playing at 100% to win.

There are times, whether periods, fractions of periods or entire games when they need 95-100%. They need to realize when and how to do that.

The Rangers blocking all of those shots vs the Sabres in game #1 was a situation like that.

[Norcal]

I hope the ol man didn't wear himself out completely last night and still has some vim and vigor left for tonight's tilt.

[Norcal]

Okposo should be targeting 72-75 games this season imo

[SabresVet]

Hate is a strong word to describe having Okposo on the roster.  

Question is with a team struggling to score and him at about a 15-16 point pace for the season whether those leadership qualities make up for the lack of production.  

The other element is whether Krebs' development is hindered by having him playing alongside him.  Not a major issue, but a consideration to the subject. 

 

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Kyle is a good captain for this team.  He is needed for his vet leadership at this point and nothing else.

[Thorner]

4 hours ago, French Collection said:

It’s about time, he was pretty much invisible for the other 19 games this season. Invisible might be the wrong term, ineffective would be better.

I was meh about his return because of his declining skills. I know he is well respected and is a great person but I was hoping for a change in leadership. I see him as a quality person, showing these guys how to be pros and great people. What I don’t see is a guy that has tons of playoff experience, won a lot and can contribute enough to lead by example.

EJ brings this element so that has helped.

It sounds like I want KO gone but I just wish he was load managed to maximize his performance.

Maybe last night helps him stay at that level for a bit. His slow legs may show up vs NJD on a back to back.

Slow legs indeed…He’s on his last, actually. Great in the room but if his play continues to decline these kids will have to learn to fish for themselves. Presumably this is KO’s last year in leading them to water: he’s certainly not bringing home many fish outright  

Edited November 25, 2023 by Thorny

[klos1963]

6 hours ago, Sabres Fan in NS said:

Kyle is a good captain for this team.  He is needed for his vet leadership at this point and nothing else.

and what has that vet leadership got us?  Not meant to bash him, but come on.

[LTS]

On 11/25/2023 at 8:29 PM, klos1963 said:

and what has that vet leadership got us?  Not meant to bash him, but come on.

So the presumption is that because it hasn't improved the team that it's not helpful?  But, what if without the team was even worse?

 

[klos1963]

On 11/27/2023 at 10:59 AM, LTS said:

So the presumption is that because it hasn't improved the team that it's not helpful?  But, what if without the team was even worse?

 

Be serious. It's the only reason he's on the team.  And we can't get much worse than we are today.

[pi2000]

On 11/25/2023 at 5:29 PM, klos1963 said:

and what has that vet leadership got us?  Not meant to bash him, but come on.

this

He's a super nice guy with lots of experience but doesn't hold the room accountable.

They need a leader who isn't afraid to call guys out.

[Doohicksie]

7 hours ago, pi2000 said:

They need a leader who isn't afraid to call guys out.

If that's what they want, I think I would drop the C right on Cozens' head.  (Tuch is too rah-rah.)  Yes I know being captain is more that calling guys out.

[Carmel Corn]

On 11/25/2023 at 8:29 PM, klos1963 said:

and what has that vet leadership got us?  Not meant to bash him, but come on.

Agree, but once again this was another poor decision by the team.  Bringing him back is debatable, but giving him the C was a poor decision in light of the expectation that KO is gone after this year.  If I am on a team, I want a leader that I think is going to be around, not a lame duck 4th liner.  Tuch should have a letter on his sweater, whether it be an A or a C even (personally I think he would have flourished as our "C").