Kyle Okposo retires

[K Fleur]

From the day this guy entered the league all the way till the end he was good to score a point every time he played the Penguins. An awesome player.

 

[Garbageyuk]

Solid career - 17 NHL seasons, $60M+ in career earnings, and a Stanley Cup.

It’s strange to think about the above all together. He was always one of those guys you never think of for some reason, maybe it’s the teams he played for, not sure. I remember seeing him walk up to the podium on draft day though. Time flies.

 

[VainGretzky]

Did he thank Tavares for all the extra money he made in his career because of him

 

[Section 104]

Did he thank Tavares for all the extra money he made in his career because of him

Wouldn’t that be Matt Moulson?

Kyle Okposo ..the 2006 first round pick of Neil Smith’s 40 day turn as Islanders GM. Andrew McDonald, apparently drafted in the 7th round as a favor to coach Ted Dolan, after 6 years was traded to the Flyers for a 2nd round pick (later traded for Johnny Boychuk) and a 3rd round pick (used to draft Ilya Sorokin).

seems like a good guy although you never really know about celebrities and athletes (Bill Cosby, Joe Paterno). Hopefully he doesn’t have any lingering concussion problems and he went out holding Lord Stanley’s Cup..even if he was a late season trade.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

So happy he was able to get a cup and go out on top. One of my all time favorite islanders.

People might not realize but early on and through his career he had several career jeopardizing injuries. I feel that’s why he never become the player he could been but he still was damn good! The Phaneuf Pre-season head shot. The torn labrum. And then the detached retina. All on the island and he came back and still showed up the best he could.

Some of the best games and most exciting games were when Okposo played like a bull in a china shop. Thats when he was at his best and most dominant. Great with the fans. By all accounts great teammate. I hope he comes back to the island at so point so the fans can give him his flowers and show him love.

Okposo was the best Islander in that series versus the Pens in 2013. The "other guy" didn't scare me in the least.

 

[SI90]

Okposo was the best Islander in that series versus the Pens in 2013. The "other guy" didn't scare me in the least.

His fight against Niskanaen woke the isles up.

 

[BagHead]

Reading that letter, and it ending in a Mark Twain quote... I'm quite sure Okposo and I would get along famously. Good guy, good career. I hope he enjoys the next one!

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

His fight against Niskanaen woke the isles up.

I hate using the Iginla comparison because some folks will do the whole "oh I see because both are black huh" thing, but Okposo in that series started to look like an Iginla-lite. Physical, could score and would fight if needed.

Unfortunately, injuries kind of derailed that. I also don't know if Kyle ever had that killer instinct Iginla did to bring that sort of rough game every night. But there were times when he went powerforward and was really effective.

 

[SI90]

I hate using the Iginla comparison because some folks will do the whole "oh I see because both are black huh" thing, but Okposo in that series started to look like an Iginla-lite. Physical, could score and would fight if needed.

Unfortunately, injuries kind of derailed that. I also don't know if Kyle ever had that killer instinct Iginla did to bring that sort of rough game every night. But there were times when he went powerforward and was really effective.

That was honestly always my comparison for him. Similar builds and styles. Iginla is obviously a HOF caliber player but when Okposo every once in awhile would play like a bull in a china shop, he was a force. Just didn’t do it constant enough to become an elite player but I do think the injures definitely changed the trajectory of his career. The fact that he played as long as he did is a huge testament to his will and love of the game.

 

[Breakers]

Everytime I hear his name it brings back memories of the UFA year where like every contract signed was absolute hot garbage

Was it 2015 or 2016?

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

He is not a capable vet anymore. He be cooked. Good career with a great flourish on the end however. Happy we got to see him lift a cup.

He was fine for 1-2 games if he has a week off first. Seriously.

So happy he was able to get a cup and go out on top. One of my all time favorite islanders.

People might not realize but early on and through his career he had several career jeopardizing injuries. I feel that’s why he never become the player he could been but he still was damn good! The Phaneuf Pre-season head shot. The torn labrum. And then the detached retina. All on the island and he came back and still showed up the best he could.

Some of the best games and most exciting games were when Okposo played like a bull in a china shop. Thats when he was at his best and most dominant. Great with the fans. By all accounts great teammate. I hope he comes back to the island at so point so the fans can give him his flowers and show him love.

Ya, I was looking for KO to retire 3+ years ago, I think aging kinda kicked his style’s ass and it took some time to adjust. Testament to his dedication that he turned it around and made me a big fan of his.

Yes, you just need to have played 1 game in the finals, he played 6.

I kind of feel a bit bad for guys like this, but not sure, I'm making an assumption here. I feel like he must have still wanted to play, otherwise he would have retired a few months ago, but now it's getting close to the season and interest hasn't been there to bring him on to the team or a team?

I think you’re right, but what a great dude to get a cup to finish his career. What sucks imo is that he could still be an NHLer if he only played 25% of the games. Like- you don’t want him as your 13th forward, because if you actually need him for a month you’re screwed, but if he could rest and then suit up for 1 game outta every 4? Dude could still manage, he always looked better after a break or injury.

Terry Pegula hoping we can lure him out of retirement and overpay him just one last time.

Psh, Terry Pegula doesn’t wanna overpay anyone, or pay anyone, really, except for f***in Zucker, and that’s just to hide his cheapness regarding Skinner.

 

[BelovedIsles]

Before KO’s injuries he was actually a talented winger. Would combine power and finesse with underrated hands and shot; one of my favorite all-time Islanders. He also seemed to be a genuinely good guy off the ice.

 

[Goose]

Solid career, enjoy retirement!

 

[DJN21]

when the Sabres signed Moulson I knew it was bad. When the Sabres signed Okposo I knew it was bad. Then we signed him again...so yeah....Sabres....

 

[saintunspecified]

Every time he's been on the ice. I was scared for him .Tbh I'll still w be worried about him. Loved him as a player. Hope he has a long, healthy retirement from the NHL.

 

[miscs75]

Congrats to the backhand toe drag king on a great career.