Okposo, Johnson Could Be On The Move Before March 8
Okposo, Johnson Could Be On The Move Before March 8
The Buffalo Sabres could be involved in some selling of veterans off their NHL roster before the March 8th trade deadline and according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek on their 32 Thoughts podcast, Sabres team captain Kyle Okposo and defenseman Erik Johnson could be generating some interest.
Friedman speculated that the New York Rangers are looking around for veteran forward depth and wondered if Okposo was a fit, with his and Rangers GM Chris Drury’s connections to USA Hockey. The 35-year-old winger has 20 points (11 goals, 9 assists) in 57 games this season.
New York lost veteran winger Blake Wheeler for the season with a lower-body injury last month and is likely looking for some experience along the wall to take his place. Wheeler played a top-line role in New York most of the time, but if GM Chris Drury cannot find or fit in a scoring winger under the cap, Okposo could be a fit down lower in the lineup.
Okposo has been with Buffalo since signing with them as a free agent in 2016 and is the second longest-tenured Sabre next to Zemgus Girgensons. He came back on a one-year, $2.5 million contract to continue serving as team captain, but GM Kevyn Adams may choose to move Okposo with the possibility of retirement after this season if he wants one last chance at a Stanley Cup.
Friedman also indicated that the Calgary Flames may be looking for a veteran blueliner to finish out the season after trading former Sabre Nikita Zadorov and veteran Chris Tanev and with the expectation that they will move pending UFA Noah Hanifin before Friday. Marek mentioned Johnson, who signed a one-year deal to play with childhood friend Okposo and to serve as a mentor to youngsters like Owen Power and Ryan Johnson, but could also be retiring at the end of the season.
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