Kyle Okposo
Position: Right Wing
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 201 lbs
Birthdate: April 16th, 1988 (23 years old)
Birthplace: St. Paul, Minnesota, US
Acquired: Draft, 1st round, 7th overall, 2006 NHL Entry Draft
2010-2011 Team: New York Islanders
2010-2011 Stats: 38 GP - 5 G - 15 A - 20 P - 40 PIM
2011-2012 Team: New York Islanders
Team Role: Top 6 Forward
Last year: In an eerily similar injury (although not as severe) to Mark Streit, Okposo was injured in the pre-season coming off of his best year stats wise yet. His shoulder injury kept him out for the first half of the season, but Okposo rehabbed quite a bit and was able to return for a little less than half the season. In his first few games he looked entirely rusty, which seemed to carry on a bit through the rest of the season. However, he still put up a somewhat respectable year stats wise, posting 20 points in 38 games. It was a disappointing year for Okposo in all, but by the end of the year he found a fantastic chemistry with Frans Nielsen and Michael Grabner on the second line and really contributed to the dynamic trio's offensive and defense capabilities. Okposo was awarded with a 5 year contract extension due to his commitment to the team and necessity to the core.
Expectations: Rust understood from last year, this year needs to be one where Okposo truly puts in solid production. He's fully healthy now and is coming off a pretty good camp, and will almost definitely be returning to his chemistry with Grabner and Nielsen on the 2nd line. Okposo is still one of the strongest players in the league on the boards and will need to continue that to have his efficiently truly used to it's fullest capacity. We should be seeing a great year out of Okposo, as his time out and deficiency due to rust last year clearly taught him something about himself. He's also wearing the A again this season and will once again be counted on to provide leadership both on and off the ice.
Projections: GP 78 - 24 G - 35 A - 59 P
Thoughts:
AT: Okposo's never going to be a 65+ point player. He's a power forward, and everyone knows power forwards sometime take quite a while to develop. However, Okposo already has the strength of an in-his-prime PF, and plays like it as well. He put up 52 points in his first full season as a 21-22 year old, so to expect close to 60 is not too much, but just about right for most of his career. His defensive prowess and forechecking is what he is most noted for, and for good reason. It is going to be exciting to watch Okposo go into his prime over the next 5 years of his contract, and hopefully more than that.
CH: Okposo was the first prospect to be chosen after the Mike Milbury era, and to date he has not disappointed when healthy. Okposo is already considered a leader on the Islanders, and has worn an "A" as an alternate captain since his second full-season in the NHL in 2009-10. He is a prime candidate to break out this season and should be expected to contribute 20 goals and come close to 60 points. Okposo is an essential part of the Isles, and if he takes the next step, his all-around game will be key in the Isles quest to move up in the standings.
Position: Right Wing
Weight: 201 lbs
Birthdate: April 16th, 1988 (23 years old)
Birthplace: St. Paul, Minnesota, US
Acquired: Draft, 1st round, 7th overall, 2006 NHL Entry Draft
2010-2011 Team: New York Islanders
2010-2011 Stats: 38 GP - 5 G - 15 A - 20 P - 40 PIM
2011-2012 Team: New York Islanders
Team Role: Top 6 Forward
Last year: In an eerily similar injury (although not as severe) to Mark Streit, Okposo was injured in the pre-season coming off of his best year stats wise yet. His shoulder injury kept him out for the first half of the season, but Okposo rehabbed quite a bit and was able to return for a little less than half the season. In his first few games he looked entirely rusty, which seemed to carry on a bit through the rest of the season. However, he still put up a somewhat respectable year stats wise, posting 20 points in 38 games. It was a disappointing year for Okposo in all, but by the end of the year he found a fantastic chemistry with Frans Nielsen and Michael Grabner on the second line and really contributed to the dynamic trio's offensive and defense capabilities. Okposo was awarded with a 5 year contract extension due to his commitment to the team and necessity to the core.
Expectations: Rust understood from last year, this year needs to be one where Okposo truly puts in solid production. He's fully healthy now and is coming off a pretty good camp, and will almost definitely be returning to his chemistry with Grabner and Nielsen on the 2nd line. Okposo is still one of the strongest players in the league on the boards and will need to continue that to have his efficiently truly used to it's fullest capacity. We should be seeing a great year out of Okposo, as his time out and deficiency due to rust last year clearly taught him something about himself. He's also wearing the A again this season and will once again be counted on to provide leadership both on and off the ice.
Projections: GP 78 - 24 G - 35 A - 59 P
Thoughts:
AT: Okposo's never going to be a 65+ point player. He's a power forward, and everyone knows power forwards sometime take quite a while to develop. However, Okposo already has the strength of an in-his-prime PF, and plays like it as well. He put up 52 points in his first full season as a 21-22 year old, so to expect close to 60 is not too much, but just about right for most of his career. His defensive prowess and forechecking is what he is most noted for, and for good reason. It is going to be exciting to watch Okposo go into his prime over the next 5 years of his contract, and hopefully more than that.
CH: Okposo was the first prospect to be chosen after the Mike Milbury era, and to date he has not disappointed when healthy. Okposo is already considered a leader on the Islanders, and has worn an "A" as an alternate captain since his second full-season in the NHL in 2009-10. He is a prime candidate to break out this season and should be expected to contribute 20 goals and come close to 60 points. Okposo is an essential part of the Isles, and if he takes the next step, his all-around game will be key in the Isles quest to move up in the standings.
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