Jumping the Gun

Kyle Okposo has left the University of Minnesota, that much is for sure. As for having actually signed with the New York Islanders, it seems as if the sides are close, but nothing official has come out yet.

The Islanders' homepage is currently featuring a "COMING SOON: Kyle Okposo" item which says the team is negotiating with Kyle.

Barring anything concrete, it is our sense that Kyle and the Islanders have agreed verbally to terms or are at least very, very close. It seems unlikely that Kyle would announce his leaving the UM squad, travel for two weeks overseas with the USA U-20 team, and return to the States without a solid commitment from the Isles.

Our guess is that sometime after the new year (depending on team USA's performance) Kyle will be officially announced as a New York Islander. He will likely be assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

As of this posting, the Isles trail Buffalo 1-0 in the first period. And Okposo is on the screen right now on the home broadcast! Blake Comeau is playing tonight, so if nothing else, at least the Islanders are getting younger. But with the current scoring doldrums, Kyle can't get here soon enough!