Staple pretty much said in that Q&A session that Okposo is either gone before the season starts, after the season, or just plain walks on July 1.

He doesn't think, and I agree, that in the midst of a successful season the Islanders are going to move him. I think if he is on the opening night roster then he's an Islander until July 1st. Unless the season is an unmitigated disaster, in which case he'll probably get moved around the deadline.

Maybe we see him traded the first few days of the season like Moulson in the Vanek trade, but they have to get some chemistry going and make trades 1/4 - 1/2 of the way through the year doesn't help that.
- eichiefs9

I don't think you can let him walk without getting a return for him. If we are doing great and he's part of the team then extend him however to let him walk without getting something back is foolish don't you think?

Staple pretty much said in that Q&A session that Okposo is either gone before the season starts, after the season, or just plain walks on July 1.

He doesn't think, and I agree, that in the midst of a successful season the Islanders are going to move him. I think if he is on the opening night roster then he's an Islander until July 1st. Unless the season is an unmitigated disaster, in which case he'll probably get moved around the deadline.

Maybe we see him traded the first few days of the season like Moulson in the Vanek trade, but they have to get some chemistry going and make trades 1/4 - 1/2 of the way through the year doesn't help that.
- eichiefs9

It is hard to see Snow moving Okposo for the first season in the new building and the last year with Wang as majority owner.

Staple pretty much said in that Q&A session that Okposo is either gone before the season starts, after the season, or just plain walks on July 1.

He doesn't think, and I agree, that in the midst of a successful season the Islanders are going to move him. I think if he is on the opening night roster then he's an Islander until July 1st. Unless the season is an unmitigated disaster, in which case he'll probably get moved around the deadline.

Maybe we see him traded the first few days of the season like Moulson in the Vanek trade, but they have to get some chemistry going and make trades 1/4 - 1/2 of the way through the year doesn't help that.
- eichiefs9

When does Staple ever have any real inside info? I am not disagreeing with his tweet because other sources have reported KO being shopped but does he ever have anything "we didn't see coming" to report? He's basically an extension of Isles PR team.

I would hate to lose him for nothing even though I understand where you're coming from
- Isles

same here. An asset like okposo walking for nothing is a difficult thing to stomach, but given the situation I have a feeling he’ll either resign or walk.

When does Staple ever have any real inside info? I am not disagreeing with his tweet because other sources have reported KO being shopped but does he ever have anything "we didn't see coming" to report? He's basically an extension of Isles PR team.
- jmo16

I think the only real time I remember him predicting anything regarding a trade ahead of time was when we got boychuk and leddy, and I’m not sure how far ahead of the announcement he was. That said, snow doesn’t leak much and what does come out seems on purpose (ie. Additional info on hosang)

It is hard to see Snow moving Okposo for the first season in the new building and the last year with Wang as majority owner.
- Isles_since_6

If the right deal comes along, Snow should be more concerned with impressing the New bosses, than CW.

same here. An asset like okposo walking for nothing is a difficult thing to stomach, but given the situation I have a feeling he’ll either resign or walk.
- Isles_since_6

I don't think Snow would ever let him just walk. He will trade him for something even if its after the season before the July 1 deadline, he will trade his rights to someone at minimum. But he will get something for him.

If he has an awesome season and is lighting it up then what? I don't know how Staple can say he will or won't be an Islander next year without seeing him at least start the season. That said if someone offers a piece that makes us better Bye Bye Oakie.

I think the only real time I remember him predicting anything regarding a trade ahead of time was when we got boychuk and leddy, and I’m not sure how far ahead of the announcement he was. That said, snow doesn’t leak much and what does come out seems on purpose (ie. Additional info on hosang)
- Isles_since_6

Yeah.I remember. It wasn't the day before - more like hours before the trade. Maybe he gets a call when the deal is agreed upon and NHL approval pending. That's reasonably "within a few hours" but not a leak. I remember him tweeting..."wait...there's another deal possible....stay tuned but those are the only instances that come to mind.

I don't think you can let him walk without getting a return for him. If we are doing great and he's part of the team then extend him however to let him walk without getting something back is foolish don't you think?
- nyisles7

It's not the most ideal scenario, but you can't just extend him because you aren't going to see a return on him. To me that's the most foolish scenario of them all. I'm not advocating for letting him walk for free, but if he's here to start the year and we have another strong season then you can't really trade him in-season. I don't love that idea, but I certainly do not want to give him an extension with the term and dollars that he's going to be asking for. To me that would be pure nonsense.

To me anyway, the simple fact is: Okposo is not worth the amount of money, cap space, and length that he is going to be demanding as a UFA. It's just my opinion, but I think (unless he magically decides to take a short deal at a reasonable price) it's time to let him walk. Would I rather trade him for a nice return and see something(s) valuable come back for him? Of course I would. But I'd only do it now or immediately following the start of the season. All this is assuming that we have a successful year, by the way. Failure = all bets are off.

When does Staple ever have any real inside info? I am not disagreeing with his tweet because other sources have reported KO being shopped but does he ever have anything "we didn't see coming" to report? He's basically an extension of Isles PR team.
- jmo16

Staple subtly hinted at Vanek, Boychuk, and Leddy.

It's not the most ideal scenario, but you can't just extend him because you aren't going to see a return on him. To me that's the most foolish scenario of them all. I'm not advocating for letting him walk for free, but if he's here to start the year and we have another strong season then you can't really trade him in-season. I don't love that idea, but I certainly do not want to give him an extension with the term and dollars that he's going to be asking for. To me that would be pure nonsense.

To me anyway, the simple fact is: Okposo is not worth the amount of money, cap space, and length that he is going to be demanding as a UFA. It's just my opinion, but I think (unless he magically decides to take a short deal at a reasonable price) it's time to let him walk. Would I rather trade him for a nice return and see something(s) valuable come back for him? Of course I would. But I'd only do it now or immediately following the start of the season. All this is assuming that we have a successful year, by the way. Failure = all bets are off.
- eichiefs9

Extend him if he's doing great and he's part of the team, and the team needs to be in contention of course.

I don't think Snow would ever let him just walk. He will trade him for something even if its after the season before the July 1 deadline, he will trade his rights to someone at minimum. But he will get something for him.

If he has an awesome season and is lighting it up then what? I don't know how Staple can say he will or won't be an Islander next year without seeing him at least start the season this year. That said if someone offers a piece that makes us better Bye Bye Oakie.
- nyisles7

I think if he has a monster season I think it becomes even more definite that he isn't an Islander next year. He'll price himself out of here. I'd never be OK with paying him $6M/yr no matter what. Not with Strome, and some supporting-cast-guys, all needing contracts next offseason and the inevitable Tavares-monster-contract looming large in a few years.

Extend him if he's doing great and he's part of the team, and the team needs to be in contention of course.
- nyisles7

See post above, do you really want to extend Okposo 6-7 years at $6M+ AAV on the cap?? I don't.

It's not the most ideal scenario, but you can't just extend him because you aren't going to see a return on him. To me that's the most foolish scenario of them all. I'm not advocating for letting him walk for free, but if he's here to start the year and we have another strong season then you can't really trade him in-season. I don't love that idea, but I certainly do not want to give him an extension with the term and dollars that he's going to be asking for. To me that would be pure nonsense.

To me anyway, the simple fact is: Okposo is not worth the amount of money, cap space, and length that he is going to be demanding as a UFA. It's just my opinion, but I think (unless he magically decides to take a short deal at a reasonable price) it's time to let him walk. Would I rather trade him for a nice return and see something(s) valuable come back for him? Of course I would. But I'd only do it now or immediately following the start of the season. All this is assuming that we have a successful year, by the way. Failure = all bets are off.
- eichiefs9

Agreed so trade him now then

Was at the game too. Good observations, agree with all of them. No note on Hickey though? I really liked the play of Pelech, especially playing with Carkner.
- ziggy_skalica

My note on Hickey? The Brown note, from Southpark.

I wasn't expecting much of him and he did not disappoint. On his best day, he's still barely a top 6 Dman on other NHL teams. Perhaps Philly needs some more Dmen. One can only hope.

KO is a stud & shouldn't be traded period!!!!! How dare Snow even think of this, sign the facking guy already......

I think if he has a monster season I think it becomes even more definite that he isn't an Islander next year. He'll price himself out of here. I'd never be OK with paying him $6M/yr no matter what. Not with Strome, and some supporting-cast-guys, all needing contracts next offseason and the inevitable Tavares-monster-contract looming large in a few years.
- eichiefs9

Gotta keep your core group. If he has a monster season he's going no where. Stromer is a RFA. Kuli and Grabo, Baily, Hickey, and other contracts are done in JT's final year and there are other options to clear cap space. Cap will go up as well. How many Cups do the Hawks win if they trade their core players because they have to give them a big raise. However all of this is moot if he doesn't have a MONSTER season. Coming off the Eye injury it will be interesting to see which KO we get this season.

See post above, do you really want to extend Okposo 6-7 years at $6M+ AAV on the cap?? I don't.
- eichiefs9

Not unless his game takes a significant jump and he comes out on fire and lights it up. For his size, I still think he's an underachiever. It's a double-edge sword, waiting to see how he plays this season and if the eye injury is a factor before extending or trading. No way he walks. Garth gets fired on July 1 if that happens.

See post above, do you really want to extend Okposo 6-7 years at $6M+ AAV on the cap?? I don't.
- eichiefs9

Pots 35 goals and 75 Points yup. All just hear say but if so then yes sir. If he is not playing well then no.

Not unless his game takes a significant jump and he comes out on fire and lights it up. For his size, I still think he's an underachiever. It's a double-edge sword, waiting to see how he plays this season and if the eye injury is a factor before extending or trading. No way he walks. Garth gets fired on July 1 if that happens.
- jmo16

Exactly. If you trade him now, you likely won't get much, because other GMs saw the drop off in his play after his eye problem. Snow shouldn't even try to make a decision until a couple of months into the season. At that point, he'll know whether he's dealing with a solid first line winger or a guy whose career is already in decline due to his eye issues.

Pots 35 goals and 75 Points yup. All just hear say but if so then yes sir. If he is not playing well then no.
- nyisles7

*hearsay*

Gotta keep your core group. If he has a monster season he's going no where. Stromer is a RFA. Kuli and Grabo, Baily, Hickey, and other contracts are done in JT's final year and there are other options to clear cap space. Cap will go up as well. How many Cups do the Hawks win if they trade their core players because they have to give them a big raise. However all of this is moot if he doesn't have a MONSTER season. Coming off the Eye injury it will be interesting to see which KO we get this season.
- nyisles7

Well then where we're differing is our view on Okposo's role on this team. He's kind of a core player by default now, but I don't see him as a core player going forward. He's going to get leapfrogged by the likes of Strome, Lee, probably Nelson, and god knows what other talent we have coming up in the system. I don't see taking up $6M+ of cap space for him as the most prudent use of the cap.

Even if he has a strong season, he's still been wildly inconsistent throughout his career and really only has one "strong" season, to date. He was having a nice year before the injury last year and was on pace for literally exactly the same number of points, but who knows what would have happened had he played a full 82 games.

His eye concerns me too. None of these things alone would be enough to make me feel this way, but there is enough there on him to make me think that it's about time the Islanders part ways with him. He's going to want to cash in as a UFA and I doubt he's going to give any significant hometown discounts. Not to mention Staple reported over the summer that the Islanders were essentially disgusted with his awful playoff performance.

Well then where we're differing is our view on Okposo's role on this team. He's kind of a core player by default now, but I don't see him as a core player going forward. He's going to get leapfrogged by the likes of Strome, Lee, probably Nelson, and god knows what other talent we have coming up in the system. I don't see taking up $6M+ of cap space for him as the most prudent use of the cap.

Even if he has a strong season, he's still been wildly inconsistent throughout his career and really only has one "strong" season, to date. He was having a nice year before the injury last year and was on pace for literally exactly the same number of points, but who knows what would have happened had he played a full 82 games.

His eye concerns me too. None of these things alone would be enough to make me feel this way, but there is enough there on him to make me think that it's about time the Islanders part ways with him. He's going to want to cash in as a UFA and I doubt he's going to give any significant hometown discounts. Not to mention Staple reported over the summer that the Islanders were essentially disgusted with his awful playoff performance.
- eichiefs9

Makes you wonder if those rumors about how he really hurt his eye is true

Pots 35 goals and 75 Points yup. All just hear say but if so then yes sir. If he is not playing well then no.
- nyisles7

He's never even scored 30, all the sudden he's going to add almost 10 goals to his career best (pre-eye-injury) season? I think that's a bit of a stretch.

Also, what if Lee, Strome, and/or Nelson can put up 25 goals and 65pts while making 1/3, or less, of what Okposo would under his hypothetical contract extension? Would 10 more goals/points be worth somewhere between $2M-$4M extra in occupied cap space over what the other guys take up?

To me, that little bit of (obviously all hypothetical) production wouldn't be worth another contract or two worth of cap space taken up.

*hearsay*
- mdw7413

Thanks teach