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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- 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 NHLs signing period opened Friday.He was drafted high. He was a high-profile guy. And hes lived up to that, general manager Tim Murray said of Okposo, who was selected seventh overall in the 2006 draft.Its exciting to get a player of his caliber that had a choice of I wont say 30 teams, but certainly a lot of teams, and decided to come here.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. Murray already envisions Okposo playing right wing on a line centered by either Ryan OReilly or Jack Eichel.After playing alongside Islanders captain John Tavares, Okposo is already looking forward to the possibilities of what the Sabres lineup has to offer.What sold me first and foremost, and Ive been saying it all day, is the chance to win the Stanley Cup, and I think we have a lot of pieces in place that can help us achieve that goal, Okposo said.And when I looked at their forwards, and especially their top two centers in OReilly and Eichel, those guys are only going to continue to get better, especially Jack. Hes got superstar status.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. Murray noted that the Sabres had a face-to-face meeting with Stamkos and his representatives on Sunday.The Sabres are attempting to quicken their push to become contenders after showing signs of improvement last season. Buffalo finished 23rd in the standings this past season after two consecutive last-place finishes.After being part of a lengthy rebuilding plan on Long Island, Okposo likes the Sabres approach.I think theyre been going at an accelerated rate, Okposo said. I think we can get there quicker than I did with the Islanders.Okposo becomes the Sabres second-highest-paid player, behind OReilly, who signed a seven-year, $52 million deal shortly after being acquired in a trade from Colorado last summer. And Okposo is close with Sabres forward Matt Moulson. The two played together in New York, and are godfathers of each others children.Listed at 6 feet and 217 pounds, Okposo has scored 67 of his 139 goals over the past three seasons, including 10 game-winners and 11 coming on the power play.The Sabres have now addressed several key needs.Last weekend, they acquired veteran defenseman Dmitry Kulikov in a trade with Florida.Buffalo is also in the position to sign forward Jimmy Vesey, after acquiring the rights to college hockeys top player last season in a trade with Nashville two weeks ago.Murray said his next priority is meeting with Vesey and his representatives next week. The Sabres took a gamble in acquiring Vesey, who is eligible to become a free agent on Aug. 15.The Sabres on Friday also filled depth needs by signing free-agent defensemen Justin Falk and Taylor Fedun to one-year, two-way contracts.Falk split last season between the Columbus Blue Jackets and their American Hockey League affiliate. Fedun had a brief stint with Edmonton in 2013-14, while spending much of the past five seasons in the AHL.Without saying who, Murray said he had a verbal agreement to sign a backup goalie, but the deal fell through when the player reneged and signed with another team.Murray wasnt pleased with what happened by saying: Im going to leave it at that. I wouldnt say anything very nice, I guess.The Sabres need to restock their goalie depth behind starter Robin Lehner after backup Chad Johnson signed with Calgary.---AP Sports Writer Stephen Whyno contributed to this story.Real Jordan Shoes Cheap . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013. Cheap Jordans Shoes Free Shipping . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. http://www.airjordannz.com/ .ca! Hi Kerry, Its another day and here we are looking at another dubious hit to the head. In this case Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky elbowed Saku Koivu in the head about a second after he dished off the puck to a teammate, knocking him unconscious. Real Jordan Shoes Cheap . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Air Jordan Nz Online . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins waived two offensive linemen who flopped in emergency starting roles last week.The Dolphins on Tuesday parted with Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner, who were third-round draft picks in 2013 and 2014. They started in Sundays 30-17 loss to Tennessee because left tackle Branden Albert (virus) and left guard Laremy Tunsil (ankle) were inactive.Ryan Tannehill was sacked six times, and the Dolphins netted just 200 yards and totaled eight first downs.The moves were the latest purge of players inherited by first-year coach Adam Gase as he tries to turn around a team off to aa 1-4 start.dddddddddddd Last season, Thomas started all 16 games at left guard, and Turner started 12 games at right guard.Miami also released running back Isaiah Pead and signed tackle Sam Young and cornerback Chimdi Chekwa.Young and Chekwa were with the Dolphins in training camp but failed to make the final cut. Young has 13 starts in six NFL seasons, and Chekwa played in 32 games for Oakland in 2011-14.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '