Sabres Forward Kyle Okposo Reportedly In ICU With Illness, Team ‘Very Concerned’

The Buffalo Sabres finished their home season with a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, although their 2016-2017 campaign hasn’t ended on an entirely positive note.

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo In ICU with Illness

The Sabres, and especially their coach, are “very concerned” about forward Kyle Okposo, who has been hospitalized in intensive care with an undisclosed ailment since March 28. Okposo last played on March 27 against Carolina.

The former New York Islanders star, who will be 29 on April 16, is being held in in-patient care in the Neuro Surgical ICU at Buffalo General Hospital, according to The Buffalo News.

As The Buffalo News stated, neurological ICUs are often intended to serve patients with neurological injuries such as strokes and brain trauma or hemorrhages.

Sabres coach Dan Bylsma provided few details about Okposo’s diagnosis and condition when speaking with reporters Wednesday after the team’s morning skate.

“It’s a difficult thing for him to be dealing with now in this situation,” Bylsma said. “Very, as a coach and a person, concerned for him and his situation.

“He’s seeing our doctors and done some tests.”

The Sabres later added in a statement that Okposo, who has now missed four games, was being treated by team doctors “as he deals with symptoms of an illness.”

“Out of respect to Kyle and his family, we will have no further comment at this time,” the team said.

Okposo signed with Buffalo as a free agent this offseason. He has been ruled out for the Sabres’ last two games this season against Florida on Saturday and Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Several of Okposo’s teammates, including defenseman Zach Bogosian and fellow forward Matt Moulson, have offered support for the player.

DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 27: Kyle Okposo #21 of the Buffalo Sabres tries to avoid the stick of Gustav Nyquist #14 of the Detroit Red Wings during the third period at Joe Louis Arena on December 27, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. Buffalo won the game 4-3. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)