Snapshots: Okposo, Kuznetsov, Wetsch, Mallory

In May the winger was Kyle Okposo indicated he wasn’t sure if last season would be his last. Now three weeks into his free agency and with his first Stanley Cup title under his belt, the veteran told NHL.com’s Dan Rosen that he still hasn’t decided whether he’ll return for an 18th NHL season. The 36-year-old appeared in 67 games between Buffalo and Florida last season, collecting 12 goals and 10 assists in 13:21 a night, the second-lowest ATOI of his career. Playing time was harder to come by in the playoffs, as he averaged just 8:33 a game in 17 appearances. After playing on a $2.5 million salary last season, Okposo would likely have to take a significant pay cut if he wants to continue his NHL career in 2024-25.

Elsewhere in the hockey world:

• Unrestricted free agent Yevgeny Kuznetsov Kuznetsov, Jr. is expected to meet with SKA St. Petersburg next week to discuss a potential contract, his agent Shumi Babaev told Konstantin Belov of Sport-Express. The 32-year-old requested and was granted a contract termination with Carolina earlier this month, but quickly garnered interest from other NHL teams. At the time of his termination, however, it was widely expected that he would return home; SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg stated earlier this week that Kuznetsov would definitely return to the KHL.
• Shark Outlook Carson Wetsch has been added to Canada’s roster for the upcoming World Junior Summer Showcase, Hockey Canada announced (Twitter link). The winger was a third-round pick last month, going 82nd overall after a strong sophomore season with WHL Calgary, in which Wetsch scored 25 goals and 25 assists in 67 games before playing for Canada at the Under-18 World Cup.
• The Senators have announced the hiring of Josh Mallory as assistant video coach. This is the 27-year-old’s first NHL opportunity. Mallory spent the past three seasons as video coach and manager of hockey operations at WHL Edmonton.