The Islanders likely will need to acquire a goal-scorer to go far this season, but they may have gotten one for the future after signing their 2006 first-round draft pick, Kyle Okposo, to a three-year deal yesterday.
Okposo, now playing in the World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic, recently left the University of Minnesota so he could sign with the Isles. The team said he will join the organization after the World Championships end, but it has not been determined whether he will play with the Islanders immediately or go to Bridgeport of the AHL.
“I’ve had the chance to observe Kyle and talk with him at our prospect development camps,” coach Ted Nolan said of the former seventh-overall pick. “This is a very gifted hockey player and a special individual. I was asked the other day to compare him to Jarome Iginla or other power forwards in the NHL. My response is that it’s our responsibility to develop him and see that Kyle Okposo makes a name for himself.”
The 19-year-old spent more than a season with the Gophers before leaving in the middle of this year. He scored 51 points (26 goals, 25 assists) in 58 games.
“My focus right now needs to be on Team USA, but I’ll be more than ready when my pro career starts in a few weeks,” Okposo said.
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Nolan said he will make a game-time decision whether Rick DiPietro will play against the Devils tonight at Nassau Coliseum. The goalie missed Thursday’s loss in Ottawa with a sprained right knee suffered on Wednesday against Toronto. If DiPietro is out, Wade Dubielewicz will make his second straight start.