Okposo agreed to a seven-year, $42 million contract on the opening day of free agency. It’s a big pickup for the Sabres, who are turning around a woeful franchise.
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Rugged and big, Okposo spent his Isles tenure as wingman for center John Tavares. Now he will be a top-line right winger for the Sabres, possibly with 2015 No. 1-overall pick Jack Eichel.
Sabres brass tried to woo Steven Stamkos away from the Lightning, only to see him re-up before Friday’s free-agent signing period began. Okposo isn’t capable of scoring like Stamkos, but he will be a major addition.
Last season as the Isles made the playoffs, Okposo had 22 goals and 42 assists in 79 games. He gets almost a point per game and over the past three seasons had 67 goals and 117 assists in 201 games.
He is a nine-year veteran, with should be a benefit to younger Sabres teammates. That includes Eichel, fellow right winger Sam Reinhart and budding scorer Zemgus Girgensons.
The Sabres needed a significant free-agent signing. They got it.
“We want to get going here,” GM Tim Murray told The Buffalo News. “We made up a big chunk last year and everybody says, ‘Well, you had no choice,’ and I kind of agree with that, to be truthful. But it’s time to take another big jump.”
They jumped; Okposo landed.
While Okposo and fellow forward Matt Martin were leaving, the Islanders spent Friday finding replacements. They signed Jason Chimera and Andrew Ladd.
— Contributing: Scott Ridge
