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Buffalo Sabres: 3 incredible things experts said about Kyle Okposo

By Sion Fawkes

BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 11: Kyle Okposo #21 of the Buffalo Sabres in the corner with the puck as Martin Fehervary #42 of the Washington Capitals defends during the second period at KeyBank Center on December 11, 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 11: Kyle Okposo #21 of the Buffalo Sabres in the corner with the puck as Martin Fehervary #42 of the Washington Capitals defends during the second period at KeyBank Center on December 11, 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Sabres
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – APRIL 21: Kyle Okposo #21 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench during the second period against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on April 21, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Leadership

Yardbarker and The Hockey Writers gave Okposo an A-plus in leadership. As the oldest skater on the ice and the second oldest player on the team, Okposo faced the undesirable task of leading a group full of 20-somethings expected to finish near the league’s basement.

And while the Buffalo Sabres set a record in futility by missing the playoffs for the 11th-straight season, they were no pushover in October 2021, March, and April 2022. Especially the latter two months when they were healthy enough to compete against the NHL’s finest teams.

Okposo provided a cool, calm, collected presence both in the locker room and on the ice. He’s faced adversity multiple times throughout his career with the Sabres, and using that experience, his leadership skills developed. Which in turn, allowed him to respond well to high-pressure and clutch situations.

As a result, the Sabres turned into one of the hottest scoring teams through the season’s final two months. And Yardbarker and The Hockey Writers credited Okposo’s presence for helping bring out the best in the team’s primary scorers.

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