Grade/Discuss Kyle Okposo

[steveat]

Why do we always believe that KO will somehow miraculously play the whole season consistently?

He's been like this for like 4 years now and every time, people do a 180 from KO is crap to KO is amazing - we NEED him!

Stop doing that! KO is crap for as long as he is inconsistent. Once he plays a full year the same way he played the second half, THEN I will begin to change my mind.

 

[Metnut]

If the real Okposo and Bailey are the players they were in the 2nd half, we are going back to the playoffs and will contend. If not, we might be due for a rough step back next year. I'm pretty happy to see Okposo working out hard with Tavares this offseason, definitely lends toward optimistim.

 

[PWJunior]

I never watched Flatley, was too young. Was he physical? Because I want Okposo to start hitting again, or at least bump guys for puck possession. He used to be amazing at that in his rookie year.

Flats - 'The Chairman of the Boards'.

He was amazing at digging pucks out in the corners and getting the puck to his linemates. Not a big scorer, but was good for some 50+ seasons. Good positionally, brought some grit, wore the C for the Isles. One of those type of guys that you want in the playoffs, just like the KO we saw late in the season and in the playoffs.

 

[kasper11]

C, and I think that is being generous.

He was really bad for the majority of the season. Don't forget, he was handed a spot with JT and couldn't produce.

He played well (not great, but solid) down the stretch, but still couldn't score.

He was great in the playoffs, but 6 games isn't enough to wipe out the previous 48.

 

[redbull]

Flats - 'The Chairman of the Boards'.

He was amazing at digging pucks out in the corners and getting the puck to his linemates. Not a big scorer, but was good for some 50+ seasons. Good positionally, brought some grit, wore the C for the Isles. One of those type of guys that you want in the playoffs, just like the KO we saw late in the season and in the playoffs.

unreal. And Okposo is a leaner, faster, better stick-handler and better-shooter than Pat Flatley - yet, accomplishes so little out there in terms of measurable statistics! He's like the Tyler Bozak of the Islanders.

I'd give Okposo a "D" for much of the year and an "A" for the last six weeks, including the playoffs. He can be outstanding, while not scoring, and be invisible, while not scoring.

What he has NOT done yet, since his first couple of years, is BOTH scoring AND playing like a bull-dog - like he showed last year down the stretch. IF that guy can find a way to play that way for a full 82 (plus playoffs) then this could be a special player.

Otherwise, still a useful depth player...but he could be so much more. I hope he doesn't go "COMEAU" on us.

 

[BTrotts19]

unreal. And Okposo is a leaner, faster, better stick-handler and better-shooter than Pat Flatley - yet, accomplishes so little out there in terms of measurable statistics! He's like the Tyler Bozak of the Islanders.

I'd give Okposo a "D" for much of the year and an "A" for the last six weeks, including the playoffs. He can be outstanding, while not scoring, and be invisible, while not scoring.

What he has NOT done yet, since his first couple of years, is BOTH scoring AND playing like a bull-dog - like he showed last year down the stretch. IF that guy can find a way to play that way for a full 82 (plus playoffs) then this could be a special player.

Otherwise, still a useful depth player...but he could be so much more. I hope he doesn't go "COMEAU" on us.

C+ for me. Like most, I think he needs to prove he can play strong and produce for more than 1/2 at a time. When he is bad, he is terrible, IMO but hoping he has turned the corner and is ready to become the bull he can be.

 

[blinkman360]

The main difference now is that these guys have had a taste of the playoffs. Okposo strikes me as the type of guy who wants to win, and will be doing everything in his power this offseason to make sure he comes in ready to contribute. Either way, it's not like Okposo just had a nice hot streak to end the year... the guy looked dominant at times. He was consistently noticeable on each and every shift. If it was just a matter of him finding a bit more luck on the scoresheet during that stretch, that would be one thing, but he just looked like a completely different player.

I will be pretty surprised if Okposo comes out of the gate slow next season. Even if he isn't putting up the points, I'll be satisfied as long as he's showing that same hustle and intensity.

 

[PWJunior]

unreal. And Okposo is a leaner, faster, better stick-handler and better-shooter than Pat Flatley - yet, accomplishes so little out there in terms of measurable statistics! He's like the Tyler Bozak of the Islanders.

I'd give Okposo a "D" for much of the year and an "A" for the last six weeks, including the playoffs. He can be outstanding, while not scoring, and be invisible, while not scoring.

What he has NOT done yet, since his first couple of years, is BOTH scoring AND playing like a bull-dog - like he showed last year down the stretch. IF that guy can find a way to play that way for a full 82 (plus playoffs) then this could be a special player.

Otherwise, still a useful depth player...but he could be so much more. I hope he doesn't go "COMEAU" on us.

Next season is Kyle's make it or break it year... as long as expectations are kept in check. KO will never be the Iginla 2.0 that we wanted when we drafted him. The playoff KO we saw had a huge impact on the series and it wasn't necessarily his scoring that stood out. He was an absolute beast in puck possession/protection and he was almost automatic at zone entry. It's seriously as if the light bulb went on in his head about the player he needs to be late in the season and he amped it up in the playoffs. The sports psychologist seems to be doing his job.

I mentioned Flats because I could see KO having the same type of impact as a #2RW that can put up 20+ goals and 50 points with strong 2-way play and leadership. I would think that would be a huge success for a 7th overall pick in a not so stellar 2006 draft class. He has no excuses now and he looks like he's changed up his routine with his work in the Dungeon with JT and guys rather than just staying in Minnesota. I think he knows what's up and I expect to see him tear of the gate next season. He has to if he wants to make Team USA and I'm sure he knows that too.

 

[Hyphistos]

B-
yeah, he was awesome at the end of the season, but I will not forget that easily how he played the rest of the season, and also the one before.

 

[wings5]

He definitely looked like he had a conditioning issue. He didn't train/play during the lockout, which was a terrible decision on his part. This season he's hopefully hitting the treadmill like a mother****er. He's always been really strong, he needs to work on his stamina.

I agree, hopefully he has addressed those issues this offseason and comes into camp in better shape.