What was likely Olofsson’s last season in the blue & gold quickly fizzled out.
Total Season Stats: 7-8-15 in 51 games played
Age: 28
Contract Status: Pending UFA
Victor Olofsson’s time with the Buffalo Sabres has almost certainly come to an end, following what was a disappointing season for both the 28-year-old Swedish forward and the team at large. Olofsson spent much of the season in the press box as a healthy scratch, and in the 51 games he did play in, he only managed to accrue 15 points.
It was expectedly a tough season, as the Sabres tried and failed to trade Olofsson last summer. Since that didn’t pan out, and given the performance & usage of the forward early in the season, the next step seemed to be a deal at the NHL’s trade deadline in February. But that, too, proved fruitless. Now, Olofsson’s contract is up this summer and both sides are expected to walk away as he seeks out a new NHL deal elsewhere.
It’s an unfortunate ending to Olofsson’s time in Buffalo, and I think he can absolutely be a serviceable third- or fourth-line forward on another team. His career-best season to date came in the 2021-22 season, when he put up 49 points in 72 games, then followed that up with 28 goals the next season. If he’s used effectively and surrounded by players who can help him succeed, he can get back to those sorts of numbers. It just won’t happen in Buffalo.
If this is indeed the end, Olofsson’s career with the Sabres will have seen him put up 182 points (90-92) in 314 games over six NHL seasons. He had 63 points in 66 games with the AHL’s Rochester Americans in the 2018-19 season.
Olofsson is currently representing Sweden at the 2024 IIHF World Championships in Czechia.
Season Grade: D-