George Richards, FHN Publisher
FORT LAUDERDALE — It has been a long time since Kyle Okposo has been in the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs.
It has been just as long since he has changed teams.
Okposo left the New York Islanders following their second-round loss to the Lightning in 2016, joining the Buffalo Sabres.
He would stay in western New York for the next eight seasons, eventually being named that team’s captain.
So, when he was traded to the Florida Panthers at the NHL Deadline on March 8, joining a new team is not something he has been accustomed to.
Not only was Okposo leaving behind his family, but he was moving to a new city, joining new teammates many of whom he had only a passing relationship with.
For the first time, Okposo joined a new team in the middle of their season.
“It has definitely been a whirlwind,” Okposo told FHN. “There have been a lot of challenges, just in things you took for granted in your day-to-day. Things that are routine, that you are used to just are not any more. I used to know what is coming on any given day.
“Coming to a new team is like walking in blind. I used to know everyone in Buffalo from the front office to the trainers to the security guards. I knew what moods everyone was in just by seeing them. Now, my mind is spinning a little bit.’’
Which is why this past week was so important, so calming, for not only Okposo — but his family as well.
With the Panthers having four days between games, his wife Danielle flew down and the two went around town looking for some more permanent lodging.
Even a pro hockey player can take living in a hotel for so long.
“It first hit me when I flew here and went to a hotel after being at the arena,” Okposo said following a practice last week. “There was no home to go home to.”
Okposo was delayed in joining the Panthers following the deadline trade, the Panthers giving him some time to get situated before flying south.
With the Panthers playing the day after the trade, and no practice time between the two, Okposo spent one more night in Buffalo with those he loves.
Leaving his four kids behind was certainly tough — although that situation appears to be working itself out.
Okposo and his wife did not just find a place in Boca Raton so Kyle could move out of his hotel digs in Fort Lauderdale.
No, the kids are coming south as well and will do a lot of remote learning to finish off their school year.
“We’ll be moving in soon and that will certainly make things feel more normal,’’ Okposo said. “I am excited for some normal, some familiarity. This week was good just to try and figure somethings out.”
Now with some of his personal affairs in order, Okposo can fully turn his attention toward hockey — although was never an issue.
The Panthers wanted to bring in some veteran forward depth at the deadline and, even though they traded for Vladimir Tarasenko a few days prior to swinging the deal for Okposo.
Florida general manager Bill Zito is one who makes sure he does every bit of research he can on a player. He had no shortage of character references in his own locker room.
Sam Reinhart not only played with Okposo in Buffalo, but included him in his wedding.
Brandon Montour and Dmitry Kulikov also played with Okposo in the past and had nothing but good things to say.
Having some people he knew, really knew, in South Florida certainly has helped with a transaction he has not been subject to very much in his career.
“Here I am, joining a first-place team in the league and I want to be a guy who is adding to what is here,” Okposo said. “I have been playing the same system in Buffalo for a while and I have always put pressure on myself to perform, to be a good person in the room. To switch midseason is difficult, sure.
“But as I told my wife, I feel so much more comfortable walking in here than I did a week ago. Next week is going to be even better. Then it will be the playoffs, and it will be go-time. And that is coming soon.’’