Sabres sign free-agent Okposo to 7-year contract

Once Lightning captain Steven Stamkos took himself off the free-agent market, the Buffalo Sabres turned to Plan B: Kyle Okposo.

The Sabres signed the former New York Islanders forward to a seven-year, $42 million contract in one of the first deals completed after the NHL's signing period opened on Friday. The team announced the signing, while a person with direct knowledge of the contract revealed its value. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Sabres did not disclose that figure.

The three-time, 20-goal-scorer fills a top-line need on a Sabres team that has spent the past two years rebuilding through youth.

Okposo is an eight-year NHL veteran and regarded as one of the top players available on the market after Stamkos elected to re-sign with Tampa Bay on Wednesday. Okposo is a 28-year-old from St. Paul, Minnesota, is a former teammate of Sabres forward Matt Moulson, and is the godfather of Moulson's son, George.

''So excited to join the Sabres organization and the Buffalo community,'' Okposo wrote on Twitter. ''Thanks for all the welcoming messages, can't wait to get going!''

Okposo becomes the Sabres second-highest-paid player, behind center Ryan O'Reilly, who signed a seven-year, $52 million deal shortly after being acquired in a trade from Colorado last summer.

The Sabres are attempting to quicken their push to become contenders after showing signs of improvement last year. Buffalo finished 23rd in the standings this past season after two consecutive last-place finishes.

Aside from O'Reilly, the Sabres young core includes centers Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart, who were selected No. 2 overall in the 2014 and '15 NHL drafts, and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.

Okposo has scored 67 of his 139 career goals over the past three seasons, including 10 game-winners and 11 coming on the power play. He was selected by the Islanders with the seventh pick in the 2006 draft, and broke into the NHL the following season.

This is but the latest bold move struck by general manager Tim Murray in a rebuilding plan that began with him purging much of the team of high-priced veteran talent. Since taking over, Murray has traded away goalie Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott to St. Louis and also completed a multiplayer deal in sending defenseman Tyler Myers and forward Drew Stafford to the Winnipeg Jets for forward Evander Kane and defenseman Zach Bogosian.

Besides the O'Reilly deal, the Sabres also acquired goalie Robin Lehner from Ottawa a year ago.