Kyle Okposo

[bondon]

Just thought I'd start a thread to get people's general thoughts on Kyle Okposo as the new season (hopefully) rolls around. I've been giving some thought into how to value Okposo going into this season, and I've kind of been back and forth.

Positives
- Played a decent amount of time ES with Tavares and Moulson and was pretty good while he was there. Not just referring to the numbers, but I remember watching a handful of games that Okposo played on that line and the three of them looked great.
- PA Parenteau is gone, who typically took a decent amount of time on JT's wing in the past.

Negatives
- Been waiting on a big breakout from this guy for a couple of seasons now and typically we've been left wanting more.
- Brad Boyes looks like he could step into the role of filling in that #1 RW spot at ES, which would significantly impact Okposo's chances IMO.

For now, it appears Boyes -- who turned 30 in April -- will be penciled in to replace Parenteau on New York's top line alongside John Tavares -- one of the game's evolving superstars -- and Matt Moulson, who reached the 30-goal plateau for a third straight season in 2011-12. Indeed, it's a golden opportunity for Boyes to regain that scoring touch he had with the Blues.

http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=640423

What do you guys think?

[loco man]

You pretty much nailed it.

I would expect to see 30-30 if he sees top line duty. I really don't get the Boyes signing - it seemed clear that this was to be KO's time to step up and am not sure what message this sends to him.

Likely, he will split time between 1st and 2nd line and come in around 55 points, with 25 goals.

Breakout potential is there though

[27Blue]

i keep reading that boyes is the favorite to be on the number one line with JT too. thing is, i really don't see him as a top line player. not even close. that said, i also don't see okposo as a top line player either. or moulson, or bailey, or.... wait a minute, the islanders don't have any top line wingers so who knows what is going to happen. obviously, okposo's (and every other islander winger's) value hinges a lot on whether he gets to play with JT. At this point it is too hard to say. buy low and you could get lucky. don't buy high cause you could get burned...

[27Blue]

only thing to consider is that nielsen, bailey and okposo were the islanders best line down the stretch and the three will likely start the season together to see if the chemistry can be rekindled...

[Call of Doughty]

I can't believe that you started a thread on an Islander's player whose initials aren't JT. Good write up though....

[sparrowtrini]

Originally Posted by InnocentBystander

only thing to consider is that nielsen, bailey and okposo were the islanders best line down the stretch and the three will likely start the season together to see if the chemistry can be rekindled...

This was exactly true. Okposo and that line were very good then.

Another thing to consider is if Strome has a good camp he could find himself as the #2 Center.

[ericdaoust]

Boyes could start the season on the top line but will not stay there. He'll work his way down the depth chart yet again. The top spot is Okposo's to lose.

[hockeymanG23]

It blows me away that Boyes would be getting talked about in a 1st line role. I just don't see it happening, his days of relevance are far behind.....

[Shoeless]

I think it's easy to forget that Okposo got hit with that injury which significantly slowed his development - figure this is the year he either makes it or slides into mediocrity. Generally I think he is undervalued on the fantasy market so it's keep him and hope he makes it or trade him for what you can get and hope he doesn't. I'm going to ride him deep into this season and see - may be a bench warmer for me but hope he isn't.

[hockeymanG23]

Originally Posted by Shoeless

I think it's easy to forget that Okposo got hit with that injury which significantly slowed his development - figure this is the year he either makes it or slides into mediocrity. Generally I think he is undervalued on the fantasy market so it's keep him and hope he makes it or trade him for what you can get and hope he doesn't. I'm going to ride him deep into this season and see - may be a bench warmer for me but hope he isn't.

Add this sentiment to my original post also. Injuries certainly have played a part.