It was reported earlier this month that “all indications” point to Kyle Okposo becoming a free agent on July 1st. That still appears to be the case and a line of teams have reportedly expressed an interest in Okposo now that it’s clear he won’t be returning to the Islanders.
The Jets, Blues, Kings, Wild and Red Wings are believed to have an interest in Okposo.
Sounds like no shortage of suitors for Kyle Okposo now that UFA contact window has opened. WPG, STL, LAK, MIN, DET among them, source says.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) June 25, 2016
Take the report for what it’s worth, but it’s not far-fetched to think that any of the teams mentioned would actually be interested. Still, if Okposo’s rumored asking price is to be believed (a figure near $7 million per year), that’d be a tough fit for some of the teams tied to the rumor.
Okposo has averaged over 60 points per season in each of the past three years. In addition to his offensive talents, Okposo is a physical forward who could make a big difference for a team who needs a powerful forward up front.
In the case of the St. Louis Blues, Okposo might be an attractive option should David Backes and Troy Brouwer not return. For the Detroit Red Wings, Okposo may only be an option if the bid for Steven Stamkos falls through. The Minnesota Wild have been linked to Okposo in the past and a return home for the forward would make a lot of sense. You could make an argument that the LA Kings would want Okposo if Milan Lucic departs. Long story short, all of the teams mentioned in the rumor are believable (perhaps to varying degrees) and there’s probably a long list of other teams who may pursue Okposo which haven’t been mentioned in any reports.
