After getting the call up from the Rochester Americans, Buffalo Sabres winger Victor Olofsson is showing he has all the right tools to perform well at the NHL level.
Victor Olofsson has been touted as the Buffalo Sabres best sleeper pick in years. As a former 7th round pick in the 2014 draft, Olofsson is a product of the Tim Murray regime, but at a ripe age of 23 years old, he has taken the long road to developing into an NHL player. It’s not often that picks from the 7th round pan out into anything, but Olofsson is showing that the slow path is still a good path.
After leading the SHL in goals last season with 27, and playing alongside current Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin on the Frolunda Indians, Olofsson showed off his true skills as a goal scorer. He got the call over to North America this year and was put on a promising Rochester Americans squad that was fresh off an early playoff exit. Olofsson hasn’t disappointed at all this season in Rochester by leading the team in both points and goals (27 g, 60 pts in 64 games). He has been a great part of the success of that team this year, and he finally got his chance to play in the NHL the other night.
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Once Victor Olofsson got his call up, he was given the best shot possible at showing off his skills and finishing ability as he was slotted right into the top line left wing alongside Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart. On his first shift, he came out firing and nearly broke through for his first career goal. All night he was relentless on the puck. He won tough battles, and he had a number of good looks, especially on the power play. While Olofsson was held of the goal scoring list versus the Red Wings, he managed to tally his first career assist on Jack Eichel‘s tying goal (which was also subsequently Eichel’s 100th career goal).
Through his hard work and developed goal scoring talents, Olofsson has what it takes to play at the NHL level, and he will be a very good goal scorer. Will he be able to make big plays on his own? Not as much as some Buffalo Sabres fans might hope, but if he continues to play with the likes of Eichel and Reinhart, or even alongside struggling pivot Casey Mittelstadt, Olofsson will be a solid goal scoring threat.
The question is what his pique might be. While the realist in me is saying he will consistently be a 25 goal scorer, I honestly want to be optimistic with a player like him. Similar to San Jose Sharks captain Joe Pavelski (also a former 7th round pick) Olofsson has the work ethic and the developed ability to score. He has honed this skill very well, and I honestly believe he could become a very consistent 30+ goal scorer in the NHL, especially if he continues to play with either Eichel or Mittelstadt.