Kyle Okposo’s Islanders career began in controversy and could end with him leaving for greener pastures this summer as an unrestricted free agent. But in between, it’s been a heck of a ride for the former first round selection (7th overall) in 2006 as he prepares to play in his 500th National Hockey League game tomorrow night in Columbus against the Blue Jackets.
In June of 2007, Okposo reconfirmed his commitment to the University of Minnesota to continue his development for the ‘07-‘08 season under the guidance of head coach Don Lucia. But in December, he would notify his teammates that he would indeed be leaving the program to begin his NHL journey. At that time, general manager Garth Snow would tell the Minneapolis Tribune that they weren’t …show more content…
I don’t see any logical way that Snow deals his high scoring, productive winger with the team still in the midst of a playoff race, regardless of his upcoming contract status. It would have to be one heck of an offer and many other GMs around the league are not going to want to part with significant assets for what might turn out to be a rental. And there is many an argument to be made that the Islanders would not go very far without Okposo and only draft picks in his place.
Currently in the last year of his five-year / $14 million dollar contract, Okposo rightfully is going to look to do the best thing for his family first and foremost. Where is the best situation for him to settle in and maximize his earning potential? Turning 28 years of age in April, if you factor in a seven-year deal for the winger that takes him to age 35, that would make this potentially his only shot at a big pay day and future financial security and stability.
Looking at it from the Islanders perspective, Snow has to do the right thing for the future salary cap structure of his organization. That means looking ahead to who he has to sign over the coming years, where the actual cap numbers could land (especially in these times of the devaluation of the CAD dollar) and whether Okposo is worth, let’s say, 7mm annually compared to his fellow players with similar skill
In June of 2007, Okposo reconfirmed his commitment to the University of Minnesota to continue his development for the ‘07-‘08 season under the guidance of head coach Don Lucia. But in December, he would notify his teammates that he would indeed be leaving the program to begin his NHL journey. At that time, general manager Garth Snow would tell the Minneapolis Tribune that they weren’t …show more content…
I don’t see any logical way that Snow deals his high scoring, productive winger with the team still in the midst of a playoff race, regardless of his upcoming contract status. It would have to be one heck of an offer and many other GMs around the league are not going to want to part with significant assets for what might turn out to be a rental. And there is many an argument to be made that the Islanders would not go very far without Okposo and only draft picks in his place.
Currently in the last year of his five-year / $14 million dollar contract, Okposo rightfully is going to look to do the best thing for his family first and foremost. Where is the best situation for him to settle in and maximize his earning potential? Turning 28 years of age in April, if you factor in a seven-year deal for the winger that takes him to age 35, that would make this potentially his only shot at a big pay day and future financial security and stability.
Looking at it from the Islanders perspective, Snow has to do the right thing for the future salary cap structure of his organization. That means looking ahead to who he has to sign over the coming years, where the actual cap numbers could land (especially in these times of the devaluation of the CAD dollar) and whether Okposo is worth, let’s say, 7mm annually compared to his fellow players with similar skill