3. Kyle Okposo
Team: New York Islanders Age: 28 Status: UFA
2015-2016 stats: GP: 79 G: 22 A: 42 P: 64 +/-: -4 PIM: 51
The true prize of the right wing market, Okposo will have his fair share of suitors this summer. While the talent is there, I am not sure how great of a fit he would be for the Avalanche however.
Okposo is a power forward, who is actually a very good passer. His finishing ability does leave a little to be desired however. His scoring has also been streaky during his career.
Still, Okposo’s offensive ability is not why I would be apprehensive to sign him at the price he will command. The Avalanche’s biggest problems are possession, turnovers and defensive responsibility. Okposo’s possession numbers are marginal, at best. His decision-making with the puck is questionable, at times. Finally, he is unquestionably a liability in his own zone.
Okposo will get paid, and he should. That being said, he needs to go somewhere with a strong enough system in place, and strong enough defensive play, to compensate for his play in his own end. Unfortunately, that is simply not the Avalanche.
Estimated cost: $6.5-7.5 million per season.
