Sabres trade Kyle Okposo to Panthers for Calle Sjalin, ’24 pick
Buffalo Sabres captain Kyle Okposo was traded Friday to the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Calle Sjalin and a conditional 2024 seventh-round pick.
Okposo becomes the Panthers’ second addition this week, with the defending Eastern Conference champions also trading for All-Star winger Vladimir Tarasenko in a deal with the Ottawa Senators that saw them part with two draft picks.
With Okposo being on a one-year deal worth $2.5 million, the Sabres did not have to retain any salary with the full freight of his contract going to the Panthers. Cap Friendly projects the defending Eastern Conference champions have less than $1.4 million remaining in cap space.
Okposo’s arrival gives the Panthers middle-six or bottom-six depth in the form of a player who has 12 goals and 22 points in 61 games this season.
If Okposo does get used in a bottom-six role, he’ll join a group that already included Nick Cousins, Ryan Lomberg, Eetu Luostarinen and Evan Rodrigues on the wings.
The Sabres’ decision to part with Okposo now means the club will be seeking their 21st captain in franchise history.