Buffalo Sabres: Kyle Okposo Says Team Has Ability to Win Stanley Cup
By Paul Taylor
Kyle Okposo was officially introduced to the local media on Thursday and he genuinely believes the Buffalo Sabres can win a championship.
The Buffalo Sabres have had an intriguing couple of weeks, with the draft, free agency and the start of development camp. Thursday brought another interesting moment, as Kyle Okposo was officially introduced at First Niagara Center.
In some respects, Sabres fans could be forgiven for still not entirely believing the winger had actually signed for their team. And yet there he was, standing before the local press, declaring how happy he was to be there.
Speaking to Chris Ryndak of Sabres.com and the rest of the media, Okposo said: “It feels good, it feels different.
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“I walked out onto the home bench and it’s definitely different to be on the home side, but exciting to meet everybody. It puts faces to names and I’m excited to be here.”
Likely still on a high after signing his seven-year, $42 million deal last Friday, the 28-year old was extremely positive about what he expects from playing in Western New York. As far as he’s concerned, the Sabres are already primed to contend in the upcoming season.
Okposo said: “I really believe that we can win here, and that’s what sold me. That’s why you play the game.
“You play the game to win a Stanley Cup, to win a championship, to raise banners. I think this team has the ability to do that.”
Understandably, some hockey people will feel seven years is too long to commit to someone approaching 30. However, that was always likely to be the compromise to secure the services of the biggest name in this year’s free agency crop.
In any event, the Saint Paul, Minnesota native is coming off the second-highest points total of his career, so he isn’t exactly a player in decline. A natural goalscorer, it’s also worth noting he’s averaged an impressive 39 assists during the three previous seasons.
Okposo was presented with his Sabres jersey by Tim Murray, just before the general manager left for Boston with Dan Bylsma, to meet a certain young man. The Sabres’ new scoring threat was asked what he would say to Jimmy Vesey, to persuade the 23-year old to join him in Buffalo.
Okposo said: “I would tell him that we’re going to be a good team for a long time, and it’s going to be a fun organization to play in. When you have the Pegulas at the helm, it’s going to be a great organization – we’re going to be contenders.”
The 2006 seventh overall draft pick will have a big influence in helping the Sabres attain that contender status. If he’s right, expect the rest of the organization and the fans to smile as much as he did during his introductory press conference.
Next: Alexander Nylander enjoys high tempo debut at camp
What did you take away from Okposo’s inaugural press conference in Buffalo? Is he right about the Sabres being ready to contend for a championship in the upcoming campaign? Let us know in the comments section below.