Sabres forward Kyle Okposo has spent the past three days in a Buffalo hospital undergoing a battery of tests to determine an undisclosed illness that has sidelined him for more than a week.
A person with direct knowledge of Okposo’s status confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that the player is in the neuro surgical intensive care unit at Buffalo General Hospital.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Sabres have not revealed Okposo, a former Islander, has been hospitalized.
“Kyle continues to be under the care of our doctors as he deals with symptoms from an illness,” the Sabres said in a statement before the Sabres’ 2-1 win over the Canadiens. “Out of respect to Kyle and his family, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Buffalo’s WGR-Radio first reported the development earlier in the day before the Sabres played their home finale.
Coach Dan Bylsma only would say Okposo is with team doctors and tests have yet to pinpoint the cause of the illness.
“As a coach and as a person [I’m] very concerned for him in this situation,” Bylsma said. “He’s sick and dealing with that. It’s a difficult thing for him to be dealing with right now in this situation.”
Okposo was sidelined a few hours before Buffalo’s game at Columbus on March 28. He had just returned to the lineup and played two games after missing 10 because of a rib injury.
Okposo is completing his first season in Buffalo after the Sabres signed the unrestricted free agent to a seven-year, $42 million contract in July. The 28-year-old is a three-time 20-goal-scorer who spent his first nine NHL seasons with the Islanders.
He’s fourth on the Sabres with 19 goals and 45 points in 65 games. The Sabres have been eliminated from playoff contention and close the season at Tampa Bay on Sunday.