Okposo: Already a Draft Success

As of the morning of Thursday, January 15 Kyle has 18 points (7 G, 11 A) in 39 games as an Islander. While researching for this article it became apparent that Okposo is already a success for the Isles in terms of drafting, especially if he can keep up a point per 2 games pace (or better). The Islanders are of course (in)famous drafters, wheelers and dealers, especially during that forgettable Milbury Era. Here is a look at past Islanders draft picks that Okposo has already outplayed. The list is in reverse chronological order:

2005 Drafted 15th overall, center Ryan O'Marra never played an NHL game for the Isles and was packed up as part of the deal for Ryan Smyth. O'Marra has played a couple of exhibition games with the Oilers but is currently mired in the minors.

2004 Winger Petteri Nokelainen, selected 16th, was plucked away by the Boston Bruins following the 2005-06 season after only 15 games with the Isles. Nokelainen notched only 1 G and 1 A during his brief stay on the Island.

2003 Winger Robert Nilsson, chosen 15th, had potential but became expendable during the shrewd Smyth trade. Nilsson played 53 games for the Isles, scoring 6 G and adding 14 A for 20 points. Though Okposo has not technically surpassed those assists or points yet he will soon!

2000 The oft-injured winger Raffi Torres was picked 5th overall but has not lived up to that expectation anywhere yet. Torres had a meager 6 A in 31 games with the Blue and Orange.

1999 A staple in Vancouver, center Taylor Pyatt was picked 8th. As an Isle he managed only 4 G and 14 A in 78 games. Only two spots down was defenseman Branislav Mezei who was chosen at #10. Mezei had a mere G and 6 A in 66 games. A busy draft, the Isles also picked #28, d-man Kristian Kudroc who never suited up for the Islanders.

1998 Picked 9th overall d-man Michael Rupp played 0 games with the Isles before re-entering the draft in 2000 and getting picked by the metro rival New Jersey Devils.

1997 Selected 5th, d-man Eric Brewer would played a couple of seasons for the Isles before eventually becoming the captain of the St. Louis Blues. Brewer played 89 games with the Blue & Orange racking up 5 G and 8 A.

1996 Picked at #3 was winger J.P. Dumont. Conversation on that ends here.

1995 Defenseman Wade Redden was chosen with the #2 pick. Nothing further will be said on the matter.

1994 Winger Brett Lindros was selected with the 9th pick. We probably remember that more than he did thanks to the concussions. He managed 2 G and 5 A on 51 games.

1990 Center Scott Scissons was chosen with the 6th pick. He wowed with 0 points on 2 games.

1988 The Isles picked up d-man Kevin Cheveldayoff with the #16 choice. Who? He played no games in the NHL.

1987 D-man Dean Chynoweth was the #13 pick for the Islanders. Chynoweth, unlike Scissons, played a considerable amount of games for the team. However he was completely inept on offensive scoring 2 G and 10 A in 147 games.

1984 Yet another defenseman, with the 20th pick the Islanders grabbed Duncan MacPherson. Another "who?" MacPherson never played higher than the WHA and therefore saw no time on the Isles blueline.

1976 Notice the big gap between years? That means good drafting! Forward Alex McKendry was the Isles' #14 pick during the Bicentennial year. McKendry played all of 10 games over a few years with the Isles notching 0 points. He would have a little more success after moving to Calgary.

In sum, kudos to you Kyle. Keep up the good work, kid!