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Vesey, Okposo Buzz

July 1, 2016, 9:01 AM ET [89 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Updated:

Moments before he NHL UFA market opened on at Noon on Friday, Jimmy Vesey's agent told me by email that his client is interested in signing with the Buffalo Sabres and the he won't be making any decisions today.


"It's possible, but not today".



Vesey's agent and the Sabres met last week at the NHL Draft.


Tim Murray reiterated his interest in signing teh UFA power winger to an entry level contract . Days before the NHL Draft in Buffalo, Murray traded a third round selection to Nashville in exchange for Vesey's UFA rights. Murray now has exclusive one on one time with Vesey until August 15.

Murray said last Saturday that there will be another meeting between he and Camp Vesey this week. That follow up meeting hasn't occurred yet, however, the two sides are planning another face to face in the coming days. I assume that Murray was busy Sunday through wednesday with the Steven Stamkos saga as well as being concurrentlt preoccupied by the Kyle Okposo UFA signing.

Now that his desk is less cluttered, Murray can focus his undivided attention on Vesey, the 6'3" 210 lb. scoring machine.

"We hope to meet with Buffalo in the near future and are open to anything", Vesey's agent told the Buffalo News Friday morning.




The window for signing Vesey is now wide open. The 2016 Hobey Baker winner was in Buffalo last weekend and was reportedly blown away by the buzz and energy being created by teh Sabres fans for their team at the NHL Draft.




***


Kyle Okposo is already feeling the love from his fanatical new Buffalo Sabres fans.

So excited to join the Sabresorganization and the Buffalo community. Thanks for all the welcoming messages, can't wait to get going!

— Kyle Okposo(@bookerT2116) July 1, 2016


"I think they have a chance to win a Cup," Okposo told TSN shortly after signing in Buffalo.

"That's the ultimate goal. That's why we play the game. They have a really good of group of young players that are only going to get better.

"They're a great organization obviously with the Pegulas at the helm. Everybody always talks so highly of them."



Okposo is now the second highest player on the Buffalo roster. Ryan O'reilly occupies teh top spot.

***


Okposo also said that Buffalo has been on his radar for some time. Assist to Matt Moulson for his sales pitch on the 716.

was also asked about the advent of him playing alongside Jack Eichel.


"Buffalo, I was looking at them a lot early," Okposo said. "They were definitely one of the teams I was extremely interested in. I'm just happy that it got done with the Sabres."



Ryan O'reilly? jack Eichel? Who will Okposo skatebeside?

Doesn't matter to Booker.

"It's kind of whoever has chemistry," Okposo said.

"Those two guys are tremendous players. I thought Ryan O'Reilly was one of the hardest players I've played against all year. He's such a smart player.

"Obviously, Jack is going to continue to grow and become a superstar. I'm excited about the prospect of playing with both those guys."




I see Okposo rolling with ROR and Kane while Jimmy Vesey will rip it up with Jack Eichel and Samson Reinhart.


More to come...




**


My source was correct. Kyle Okposo is now a BUFFALO sabre. The power forward has signed for 7 years and $42 million.

Buffalo lost out on Steven Stamkos when he decided to resign with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday.

Okposo is the best available UFA forward after Stamkos. Tim Murray lands a big fish in the man they call "Booker".

Murray gets a 30+ goal man for half the cost of Stamkos. That is great value!

Murray now has $11.2M in available salary cap space to sign his RFAs like king pin #1 defender Rasmus Ristolainwn. Murray is also working on a trade for Anahwim Ducks D Cam Fowler.

Interesting to note that Okposo signs for long term at $6M AAV. Davis Backes signed in Boston and Milan Lucic signed in Edmonton for tge same $6M AAV.

**




I texted with a friend this morning who has worked with Kyle Okposo.


Is Okposo coming to Buffalo?

"Booker has been radio silent the past couple of days",
I was told by my source.


It appears to be very likely that Okposo will be reuniting with Sabres forward Matt Moulson.


Okposo riding shotgun for Jack Eichel and Samson Reinhart should strike fear in the hearts and minds of enemy D, goalies, forwards and head coaches.

Okposo cannot sign with an NHL team until Noon EDT today.


Sabres head coach dan Bylsma knows Okposo well having had to contain the power forward in Penguins-Islanders alley fights.


More to come...









**

No Steven Stamkos means big money for the biggest UFA.

I expect that Sabres will be active in unrestricted free agency today.

TSN'S Bob McKenzie told AM 690 in Montreal that he is hearing that the Sabres will take a solid run at former NY Islanders power forward Kyle Okposo.

"We've heard a lot of rumors about how hard Buffalo's going to go after Kyle Okpooso. Crazy money, supposedly."

What's "crazy money"?

I've heard a 7 year deal in the $42 million dollar neighborhood.

I'm okay with a monster contract for Okposo. It's not my moneu. However, I have always respected his game.

Tim Murray will have to play hard ball because Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher wants to return Okposo to the State Of Hockey. It's going to be a bidding war.

Detroit, Boston and Toronto may bail out on a deal at those terms.

Not Buffalo, who were prepared to pay Stamkos $11 million a season for 7 years.

Okposo, 28, is the next contestant up on The Price Is Right now that Stamkos is staying in Tampa and Taylor Hall has been traded to New Jersey.

Okposo is a three-time 20 goal scorer who popped 22 goals and 64 points in 79 games in 2015-16. He is a dominating big man who has finally developed into the tough to play against power forward that the islanders projected him to be.

Okposo's $2.8 million salary made him one of the most value-laden contracts in the NHL this season. The days of getting Okposo's best work for pennies on the dollar are long gone.

He's earned a raise.

So, the Sabres, Red Wings and Maple Leafs lost the Steven Stamkos stampede.

Okposo is the next man up.

The veteran forward is in a no lose situation.

Okposo will seemingly double his take home pay in his next contract. Based on his production and value league wide, Okposo will easily earn $5.6M to $6M AAV per season. The bidding war between Buffalo and Minnesota will inch it closer to $7M annually.

In 529 career games with the Isles, Okposo scored 139 goals and added 230 assists. He also earned 310 PIMs. In 29 career playoff games, the former 7th overall pick in 2006 has scored 7 goals and 8 assists.

Okposo's best friend is Sabres forward Matt Moulson.

Okposo and Moulson. Reunited?
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