Buffalo Sabres
Former Sabres Captain Announces Retirement From NHL
In an open letter through his agency, Kyle Okposo has announced his retirement from the NHL. The former Sabres captain played 17 seasons in the NHL, eight with Buffalo. The Sabres traded Okposo at the deadline last season to the Florida Panthers, who went on to win the Stanley Cup.
Okposo was selected seventh overall in the 2007 NHL draft by the New York Islanders. He spent nine seasons with the club that drafted him, posting four seasons of 50 points or more. The Sabres signed the forward to a seven-year, $42 million contract in free agency during the 2016 offseason.
Okposo failed to reach the 50-point mark with the Sabres, contributing to some disappointment throughout the playoff drought. He evolved his game into a steady, defensive presence on the team, carving out extra years in his career.
More Okposo: Kyle Okposo Traded to Panthers for Pick, Prospect
Concussion History
A scary incident in 2017 sprung a series of head-related injuries. This caused Okposo to wonder if he was ever going to play again. He was injured in a rehab drill as his head hit the boards. The incident left the former Sabres forward with lingering concussion issues throughout the season.
He battled through other concussions to continue his career, but the winger went on to captain a young Sabres team after the trade of Jack Eichel.
Okposo was a well-liked player in the locker room, with the latest edition of Sabres referring to him as “dad”. His longtime friendships with former Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares and former Sabres forward Matt Moulson stem from his time with the Islanders.
A Storybook Ending
Although injuries nearly derailed his career and his Sabres teams underperformed, the veteran finally achieved his number one goal in the summer of 2024. He was the third player to lift the Stanley Cup after his Panthers won a hard-fought series against the Edmonton Oilers.
Okposo Retirement
Okposo provided some wise words in his retirement statement:
“It sounds simple, but if you follow ‘The Golden Rule’, hockey will give you back everything you put into it.”
Well said, Kyle Okposo.
An open letter from Kyle Okposo. pic.twitter.com/wb5UC6yL4l
— CAA Hockey (@CAAHockey) September 19, 2024