Buffalo Sabres Captain Kyle Okposo will hit the free agent market for the first time in a while. But will the Blue and Gold bring him back?
With the Buffalo Sabres offseason right around the corner, the time has come to speculate over which pending free agents will remain in the Queen City, and which will depart. One name that I stated wouldn’t be back is Captain Kyle Okposo. But Lance Lysowski of Buffalo News makes a compelling case to re-sign the aging forward for another season.
"“Okposo’s experience, leadership and consistent effort will earn him a one-year contract at a much lower cap hit. Okposo is one season removed from scoring 20 goals. His role is different this season, hence the drop in production. They need more veterans like him, not fewer, and he’s one of the guys who sets a work rate that others on the team have to match, or they’ll fall behind quick.” – Lance Lysowski, via Buffalo News."
Valid points, indeed. But is it enough to justify bringing back the veteran? Let’s explore why this would be a good idea, and why general manager Kevyn Adams should move on.
Should Kyle Okposo return to the Buffalo Sabres?
Lysowski accurately summed up why Okposo should be back in his piece. The Sabres, who will still be one of the youngest, if not the youngest, team next season, still need their fair share of veteran leadership. Yeah, you have Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner, among others, but it still may not be enough, as implied in the above quote.
But at the same time, re-signing Okposo also means he will take a roster spot from the likes of either Matt Savoie, Jiri Kulich, or Lukas Rousek, among other prospects. Savoie and Kulich appear to be ready to at least test NHL waters, and Rousek impressed in his one-off back in March.
Further, Okposo has also looked like a liability this season. He still has skills to compete in the league, but his speed has become a major weakness, and it limits what he can do with the puck. There were countless times when it negated either a potential breakaway or an odd-man rush.
Okposo has had his moments, no doubt, and he remains a serviceable hockey player. But the skill-set he’s retaining to date, primarily on the forecheck and in the physicality department, will continue to diminish with age.
Overall, I can see him returning for another season at league minimum. But for a young team with emerging leaders, why would you even bother? You have sound leaders in Tuch, Skinner, Rasmus Dahlin, and Dylan Cozens. Okposo won’t be there when this team starts making annual playoff runs, but the aforementioned names will, along with Savoie, Kulich, and Rousek, plus a few other possibilities.
His experience and leadership is valuable. But ultimately, the future is now in Buffalo. And Okposo isn’t a long-term part of it.
Source: Sabres Mailbag: How should GM Kevyn Adams react to the recent struggles? by Lance Lysowski, BuffaloNews.com