So we all rip apart the Lucic contract. Why does Okposo not get the same treatment?

[CartographerNo611]

Okposo suffered many debilitating concussions since signing with the Sabres. Horrible injuries. Suicidal, etc. He was a very good hockey player before those. Lucic??? He was just bad and getting worse on his last year with the Bruins. Apples and oranges.

What lol Looch was consistently putting up 50 - 60 points up till his 2nd year with Oilers while being the most feared power forward since Linnros. Even if you hate the guy that’s atleast average not bad.

He definitely changed after his dad died with the Kong’s though.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

What lol Looch was consistently putting up 50 - 60 points up till his 2nd year with Oilers while being the most feared power forward since Linnros. Even if you hate the guy that’s atleast average not bad.

He definitely changed after his dad died with the Kong’s though.

His dad passing definitely affected his play, also doesn't help the NHL continues to get faster and faster.

 

[HugginThePost]

What lol Looch was consistently putting up 50 - 60 points up till his 2nd year with Oilers while being the most feared power forward since Linnros. Even if you hate the guy that’s atleast average not bad.

He definitely changed after his dad died with the Kong’s though.

Dear Lawd!!!

 

[yzerman]

Because he is clearly better but still not Worth the money

 

[JeremyTB]

Alot of people predicted that Lucic would be one of those players that would fall off a cliff once he hit 30. The game getting faster, He was never that good of a skater, The wear and tear on his body due to the way he plays. And he doesn't have that Hockey IQ that could help him once his physical skills start to diminish.

 

[NYRKing]

Aside from Lucic hate, big part is McDavid.

Not only is Lucic a hated goon, he’s an easy target for the Oilers failure to capitalize on prime years of a generational talent.

 

[Pyrophorus]

Lucic is an Oiler, that accounts for most of it.

I agree, but to a lesser extent. Edmonton will garner more attraction, with eyeballs, than Buffalo.
Plus Okposo still does more...

 

[HockeyDBspecialist]

Okposo playing on a team no one watches

 

[Butch 19]

"Identical contracts"—*posts difference between contracts*

what are the contract numbers?

 

[Kranix]

Lucic fell off a cliff shortly after the big contract

 

[pigpen65]

Okposo contract was absolutely terrible.

 

[oXo Cube]

I don't think it's ripped apart more than the other spectacular disasters from that summer, but it seems that way because it's talked about more. That's just because there is a really large number of Oilers fans in this community.

 

[Hatrix]

Kyle Okposo Stats and News
Milan Lucic Stats and News


Identical contracts
Same age
Production not far off

Lucic - NMC
Okposo - M-NTC (15 team no trade list)

Or the Andrew Ladd contract for that matter.

But you know "the oilers suck, durrrrrrrr" will always take precedent appparently.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Okposo contract was panned when he signed it. Not sure what you're looking for, unless it's simply that the Oilers get that much more attention.

 

[John Eichel da GOAT]

Okposo's experience was really horrific. The article below addresses a lot of it (unfortunately it's locked behind the Athletic pay-wall

Back from the abyss: Kyle Okposo opens up about the darkest...



Just a brief example of the sort of stuff he went through.

His contract is an albatross and I'm not sure I know any fan who's happy with his production, but beyond the medical stuff, he's also carries himself like a pro and just generally comes across as a quality individual, which I think contrasts with how most fans view Lucic.

I get it, but just because it was public, it was more horrific than what a billion other players went through and kept private? Lindros, Savard, Lafontaine, Kariya, hell even Crosby.

I believe it all was terrible, but the guy barely missed an hockey for it and is still playing near full seasons. I think its a bit exaggerated to give him a free pass for these issues that apparently didnt affect his ability to get on the ice. Go on LTIR if that is the case then.

 

[Smartguy]

Ripping on Edmonton is seen as cool around here. Same with Toronto, so any flaws that team has will be greatly overblown

 

[John Eichel da GOAT]

Anyone have the patience to go back and look up threads about Lucic and Okposo in year one of these contracts.

Lucic put up 50 playing 50% of his time with RNH or McDavid.

Okposo put up 45 playing almost exclusively with ROR. Sure, a disappointment from 40% of his time with from Tavares in the final NYI season, but an obvious downgrade too there.

I cant imagine fans werent happy at the time using both of these players as hope for the future.

Sure in hindsight, we can say they were obviously bad contracts, but I'd love to see the proof in more than just the signing thread from UFA day.

 

[Scrantonicity 2]

I still remember Okposo getting blown up in a pre-season game against the Flames by Phaneuf. Unfortunately he's had difficulties staying healthy over his career.

I think the short answers are that 1) the Lucic contract still is worse, and 2) Lucic is disliked by far more people across the league.

Doesn't help he plays for a team that's already the butt of a lot of jokes around here. Adds fuel to the fire.

 

[HugginThePost]

I get it, but just because it was public, it was more horrific than what a billion other players went through and kept private? Lindros, Savard, Lafontaine, Kariya, hell even Crosby.

I believe it all was terrible, but the guy barely missed an hockey for it and is still playing near full seasons. I think its a bit exaggerated to give him a free pass for these issues that apparently didnt affect his ability to get on the ice. Go on LTIR if that is the case then.

5 < 1,000,000,000,000

As someone who has suffered what these guys are going through my entire adult life, [MOD]

There are days that I don't want to go to work, hell, even get out of bed. But you do, because, you know, you've got bills to pay.

People like you, and you're little "like" buddy Hatrix, have no idea what life is like when you get your brain scrambled.......and I hope you never do.

 

[Aceboogie]

Noone cares about Buffalo

Both are jokes of the league, Edmonton is just in a Canadian city

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

Noone cares about Buffalo

Both are jokes of the league, Edmonton is just in a Canadian city

..and that's how you post 30k times to 1.5k likes, ladies and gentlemen.

 

[John Eichel da GOAT]

5 < 1,000,000,000,000

As someone who has suffered what these guys are going through my entire adult life, I'd say you're coming off like a complete ass hat.

There are days that I don't want to go to work, hell, even get out of bed. But you do, because, you know, you've got bills to pay.

People like you, and you're little "like" buddy Hatrix, have no idea what life is like when you get your brain scrambled.......and I hope you never do.

I gave 5 examples only. Obviously there are a ton more. So then its on the Sabres for playing him when they shouldn't? He'd get paid either way so its no different to him money wise. If we're saying he has life threatening head injuries, GTFO the ice!

I get it, concussions are awful, but then WHY IS HE PLAYING!? Sounds more like an excuse for crap play to me. Sorry that is insensitive, but its the truth. Get your head figured out then.

 

[John Eichel da GOAT]

I still remember Okposo getting blown up in a pre-season game against the Flames by Phaneuf. Unfortunately he's had difficulties staying healthy over his career.

I think the short answers are that 1) the Lucic contract still is worse, and 2) Lucic is disliked by far more people across the league.

Doesn't help he plays for a team that's already the butt of a lot of jokes around here. Adds fuel to the fire.

How is the contract specifically worse though? Its nearly identical at this point. The full NMC and M-NTC is the only difference.

And the health thing over his career I guess is true, but not extreme. Since the lockout year, hes played 71 60 79 65 76 78. That is hardly injury riddled.

 

[tony d]

People dislike Lucic while Okposo's gone through some tough times. That's the explanation on this 1.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

I gave 5 examples only. Obviously there are a ton more. So then its on the Sabres for playing him when they shouldn't? He'd get paid either way so its no different to him money wise. If we're saying he has life threatening head injuries, GTFO the ice!

I get it, concussions are awful, but then WHY IS HE PLAYING!? Sounds more like an excuse for crap play to me. Sorry that is insensitive, but its the truth. Get your head figured out then.

Professional athletes are competitive by nature. They want to be playing to help their teammates. Almost nobody wants to just sit there and collect a paycheque and not play.

In fairness, I never liked the contract in the first place. I always thought Okposo was just a product of Tavares.