Okposo Prepared For A Likely Deadline Departure
The veteran winger has 22 points in 59 games for Buffalo this season
© Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports - Okposo Prepared For A Likely Deadline DepartureKyle Okposo took a long look after the 5-2 loss to Winnipeg at Key Bank Center on Sunday, as it might be the last time he played on home ice as a member of the Buffalo Sabres.
"You never know what's going to happen here, but it definitely went through my mind. I took a little bit extra time," Okposo said after Tuesday's practice at the Harborcenter. "(GM Kevyn Adams and I) have talked. I think we're on the same page. He knows where I stand, I know where he stands. We'll keep the rest of those talks private, but we're on the same page."
The 35-year-old team captain is one of six pending unrestricted free agents who could be on the move before the March 8 trade deadline. The Sabres playoff hopes have not improved in spite of winning six of their last eight games, as they are 10 points in back of Detroit and Tampa Bay for the wildcard spots in the Eastern Conference.
"It's a position I've never been in my entire career," Okposo said. "I've seen a lot of a lot of deadlines come and go and you see you guys get moved. You see that it's part of the business and I'm gonna go about my day and be professional and be who I am. I'm not gonna change who I am just because of the situation that I'm in. So I'm here today and just trying to do the best I can to lead the group."
Both Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and The Fourth Period have reported that Okposo might be a good fit with the New York Rangers, who lost veteran winger Blake Wheeler to a season-ending lower-body injury last month. TFP also indicated that the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers also have interest, which fits with the fact that both clubs had scouts at the Sabres weekend home games against Vegas and Winnipeg.
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