KYLE OKPOSO - Right Winger - 31 - $6MM Cap Hit - UFA in 2023-2024
LAST UPDATED 6/25/19
Part of the now-infamous 2016 free agent class, Okposo was originally signed to bring his ~25 goal, ~55 point power forward play to Buffalo's empty top-6. Since he signed his massive contract, though, Okposo has only battled injuries and inconsistency, and has struggled to establish himself as one of Buffalo's reliable top-6 wingers. He's a definite positive off the ice with his exemplary leadership skills, but on the ice his foot speed has regressed along with his overall playmaking abilities. He still has a decently dangerous shot, but it's not the shot that got him his contract. He has the size, strength, and work ethic to play a physical game, but he's not a grinder and isn't even close to a defensive player capable of killing penalties. He very much belongs on a first or second line, but his skills aren't deserving of that ice time. Isolated impact metrics portray Okposo as a huge net negative impact on his team's 5v5 offense, but a positive impact on the powerplay, likely due to his ability to be a triggerman or a screener. With his bloated cap hit and his overall regression from top-6 forward to only being in the NHL due to his contract, Okposo is undoubtedly a negative-value asset, and unless he can rediscover what made him a lethal scorer, he might be destined for an unceremonious early retirement via LTIR.
Part of the now-infamous 2016 free agent class, Okposo was originally signed to bring his ~25 goal, ~55 point power forward play to Buffalo's empty top-6. Since he signed his massive contract, though, Okposo has only battled injuries and inconsistency, and has struggled to establish himself as one of Buffalo's reliable top-6 wingers. He's a definite positive off the ice with his exemplary leadership skills, but on the ice his foot speed has regressed along with his overall playmaking abilities. He still has a decently dangerous shot, but it's not the shot that got him his contract. He has the size, strength, and work ethic to play a physical game, but he's not a grinder and isn't even close to a defensive player capable of killing penalties. He very much belongs on a first or second line, but his skills aren't deserving of that ice time. Isolated impact metrics portray Okposo as a huge net negative impact on his team's 5v5 offense, but a positive impact on the powerplay, likely due to his ability to be a triggerman or a screener. With his bloated cap hit and his overall regression from top-6 forward to only being in the NHL due to his contract, Okposo is undoubtedly a negative-value asset, and unless he can rediscover what made him a lethal scorer, he might be destined for an unceremonious early retirement via LTIR.
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