Kyle Okposo is going to have a tough time maintaining his point-per-game pace without a bonafide center to play with on Isles' the top line. His favourite pal John Tavares is out long term after suffering a knee injury during the Olympics, while the Isles' second line center Frans Nielsen is still a few weeks away from returning from a broken hand. That makes third line rookie Brock Nielson the team's de facto number one center, and to make matters worse, trade talks are whirling around Okposo's other skilled linemate Thomas Vanek.