Kyle Okposo Is A Stanley Cup Champion

It may have taken 17 years.

It may have taken 1,051 regular season games.

It may have taken 41 playoff games.

It may have taken eight seasons to even get a chance to fight for the Stanley Cup again.

But it happened.

Kyle Okposo is now a Stanley Cup champion, as the Florida Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7.

After being a healthy scratch for Game 6, a 5-1 loss in which Nick Cousins took his spot, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice elected to pencil Okposo back in for the pivotal game.

In what could be the final game of his NHL career, Okposo played like someone who wanted to leave it all out on the line.

He didn't play much, just 7:51 , but his ability -- and his linemates -- to get in on the forecheck early allowed the Panthers to get to the game that's been missing since they took a 3-0 series lead, which feels like a lifetime ago.

The 36-year-old has had a tremendous career, which began when the New York Islanders drafted him seventh overall at the 2006 NHL Draft.

Related: Islanders Look Back: Kyle Okposo Scores First Career NHL Goal On Martin Brodeur

In 529 regular season games in Blue & Orange, Okposo scored 139 goals with 230 assists for 369 points.

Through the trials and tribulations over his nine seasons on Long Island, the St. Paul, Minnesota native was a pro's pro.

“He was a leader not only with his words but with his play and how he played for the team," Islanders captain Anders Lee said on March 28. "He played the game the right way and did everything he could to make sure the team had success.

"I think that’s true to his character of putting the team before anything else and I don’t think that’s any different than what he’s continued to bring in Florida.”

Okposo, who donned an "A" for the organization from 2009 to 2016, played a vital role in the Islanders' turnaround as a franchise, helping the club make the playoffs in 2013, 2015, and 2016.

Although Okposo chose to sign a seven-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres in the summer of 2016—the Islanders never offered him an extension—he still played a part in the franchise's continual rise, whether he was present or not.

Ten of the players -- 9.5 because Thomas Greiss wasn't there in 2021 --  who went on to represent the Islanders in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2020 and 2021 had been teammates of Okposo.

Eight still remain: Brock Nelson, Anders Lee, Cal Clutterbuck, Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas, Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech, and Scott Mayfield.

Related: Former Islanders Forward Kyle Okposo On The Feeling Of Playing Playoff Hockey

"His leadership qualities are extreme,” Cal Clutterbuck said after Okposo was dealt to the Panthers at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. “It’s pretty well documented that he had a huge hand in what’s going on in Buffalo and the resurgence of that program. He is just a smart hockey player, and he can play in many different situations. He’s been a top-six guy; he’s played a bottom-six role. He’s got a big body, and he plays the game hard. Obviously, he is hungry. I talked to him a couple of weeks ago, and he is excited about the opportunity and is capable of playing many different roles.”

Over the past few seasons, Okposo has lost some foot speed and has become a bottom-six forward, suiting up for the Panthers on their fourth line.

He had a major injury scare back in 2017, potentially a career-ender, after a reaction to medication for his concussion landed him in the ICU.

So not only is it incredible that he got a chance to live a normal life but play another seven seasons in the NHL.

So, to finally win it all must feel surreal.

Despite the demotion in the depth chart, Okposo has still found ways to be effective.

“He’s a bull," Matt Martin said. “He plays a power-forward style. He hasn’t lost his skill, but he is a big body and somebody who is willing to do whatever it takes to win. He’s stepped up to fight plenty of times throughout his career for a guy who really shouldn’t have to or need to.

"He’s willing to do those things, and he was just a leader on this team. Good defensively, offensively, played with an edge and always looking to step up to motivate us.”

If this is it for Okposo, he will end his career with 614 points (242 goals, 272 assists) in 1,501 regular season games, an All-Star, and a Stanley Cup champion.

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