SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito announced today that the club has acquired forward Kyle Okposo from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a conditional 2024 seventh-round draft selection and defenseman Calle Sjalin.
“Kyle is an exceptionally respected veteran who brings leadership and a competitive edge to our team, and we are thrilled to be able to add him to our group,” said Zito.
Okposo, 35, has produced 22 points (12-10-22) over 61 games with the Sabres in 2023-24. He has served as Buffalo’s captain since the 2022-23 campaign.
The 6-foot, 216-pound forward has skated in 1,045 career NHL games between the New York Islanders (2007-08 to 2015-16) and Buffalo Sabres (2016-17 to 2023-24), amassing 614 points (242-372-614). He is one of 61 American-born skaters to play in over 1,000 NHL games, celebrating the milestone on Nov. 14, 2023, against the Boston Bruins.
The 17-season NHL veteran has appeared in 24 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, producing 15 points (7-8-15), all with the New York Islanders. He was selected to represent the Islanders at the 2017 NHL All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
Prior to his professional career, Okposo played in two seasons (2006-07 to 2007-08) with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, posting 51 points (26-25-51) over 58 games. He captured the USHL’s Clark Cup with the Des Moines Buccaneers in 2005-06, logging 58 points (27-31-58) across 50 league contests and 16 points (5-11-16) in 11 postseason games en route to being named to the USHL First All-Star Team and Rookie of the Year.
The St. Paul, Minn., native has represented the United States at multiple tournaments, including the 2012, 2010 and 2009 IIHF World Championships and the 2008 and 2007 U20 World Junior Championships, winning the bronze medal at the 2007 WJC.
Okposo was originally selected by the New York Islanders in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2006 NHL Draft.
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