(This story was updated to add new information.)
Veteran forward Kyle Okposo capped his career in style by helping the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup in June.
Three months later, Okposo announced his retirement from the NHL on Thursday after 17 seasons.
Okposo, 36, reflected on his career in an open letter distributed by CAA, the agency that represents him.
‘(Thirty) years of playing hockey was incredible,’ he wrote. ‘It brought me to some amazing places and provided such unique experiences. I believe the game is in a great place right now, but the possibilities are vast. I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute to the game as it reaches new heights.’
The Panthers acquired Okposo on March 8 from the Buffalo Sabres, where he had been captain since 2022-23. He had 22 points in 61 games with Buffalo at the time.
Okposo had no points in six regular-season games with Florida. Making his first playoff appearance since 2016, he had two assists in 17 games to help the Panthers capture their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Okposo tallied 614 points (242 goals, 372 assists) in 1,051 career games with the New York Islanders (2007-16), Sabres (2016-24) and Panthers. The Islanders selected Okposo with the seventh overall pick in the 2006 NHL draft.
Red Wings sign defenseman Moritz Seider
The big questions headed into the offseason regarding Moritz Seider were how much, and how long.
The Detroit Red Wings finally answered those questions Thursday, with a seven-year deal worth $8.55 million per year. Seider’s three-year entry-level contract had an annual salary cap hit of $863,334.
While it took longer than anyone would have liked – training camp began Wednesday – to come to an agreement, the bottom line is general manager Steve Yzerman has locked up the services of a 23-year-old Calder Trophy winner who in three years has cemented himself as a pillar of the rebuild. Seider is the team’s workhorse, playing on the top defense pairing where he is tasked with containing opposing superstars, as well as seeing time both running a power play and manning a penalty kill. – Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press
Radko Gudas named Ducks captain
Defenseman Radko Gudas was named the ninth captain in Anaheim Ducks history. Anaheim had been without a captain since Ryan Getzlaf retired in 2022.
Gudas, 34, is entering his second season with the Ducks. The rugged defenseman led the team in plus/minus (+14), hits (232) and blocked shots (154) last season.
Around the rinks
Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who was injured Wednesday, probably will miss only a couple days of practice, coach Lindy Ruff said, according to the team’s website. … Montreal Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle will be re-evaluated in seven days after having his appendix removed Wednesday, the team said Thursday.
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