New York Islanders GM Garth Snow and forward Kyle Okposo have reportedly made little to not headway on a contract extension for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. According to a report from Arthur Staples of Newsday, negotiations between Snow and Okposo's representatives this offseason went "nowhere." As such, there is "strong belief" around the NHL that Okposo is available via trade "for the right price," per Staples.
Okposo, set to enter his eighth NHL season, all with the Isles, was even shopped by Snow, albeit "briefly," during the 2015 NHL Draft, according to Staples.
"Am I upset about it? No. There's things that upset you on a daily basis in this business and you just have to go with it. As far as contracts, trade speculation, I don't want that to be a distraction. I just want to go out and play the game," Okposo said earlier this offseason, per Staples.
For Okposo, his own contract impasse has likely been made even more bittersweet and complicated by watching as teammates Brock Nelson, Johnny Boychuck and Nick Leddy were all handed lucrative extensions of their own. While Okposo is, likely, happy for his fellow Islanders, his own status with the franchise moving forward is very much in question. He missed time this past season due to injury and had several procedures on his eyes during the off months, but still managed 18 goals and 33 assists in the regular season and performed well during the Isles short playoff run.
Now healthy, he's an importance piece for the Islanders and Snow, either as a main contributor or a big trade piece before or at the NHL trade deadline. His contract demands as he looks to upgrade on his current deal, which will pay him $4.5 million in 2015-16, will go a long way toward determining his New York and NHL future. And considering Okposo's play over the past few seasons, he's in line for a significant raise.
