Panthers acquire Kyle Okposo from Sabres

Field Level Media|published: Fri 8th March, 13:06 2024

Mar 3, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Kyle Okposo (21) makes his way to the ice before a game against the Winnipeg Jets at KeyBank Center. credits: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The Florida Panthers acquired Sabres captain Kyle Okposo from Buffalo on Friday.

The Sabres, in turn, will receive defenseman Calle Sjalin and a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

The trade was made hours before the official NHL trade deadline on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.

Okposo, who turns 36 on April 16, has recorded 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists) in 61 games this season.

The forward is playing on a one-year, $2.5 million extension and can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.

"Kyle is an exceptionally respected veteran who brings leadership and a competitive edge to our team, and we are thrilled to be able to add him to our group," Panthers general manager Bill Zito said.

Okposo has 614 points (242 goals, 372 assists) in 1,045 career games with the New York Islanders (2007-16) and Sabres. The Islanders selected Okposo with the seventh overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft.

Sjalin, 24, has three assists and 14 penalty minutes in 22 games this season with Charlotte of the American Hockey League. He has yet to make his NHL debut since being selected by the New York Rangers in the fifth round of the 2017 draft.

—Field Level Media