Buffalo Sabres: Victor Olofsson exceeded expectations in 2021-22
By Sion Fawkes
In a recent poll, 54% of Buffalo Sabres fans stated Victor Olofsson met expectations during the 2021-22 season while 32% said he exceeded them.
Fans of the Buffalo Sabres gave winger Victor Olofsson a ‘C’ grade, equivalent to ‘Met Expectations’ over at Die By The Blade. Meanwhile, writer Jeff Dahlberg of Die By The Blade provided a detailed analysis regarding Olofsson’s performance this season, and graded him with a ‘B,’ or exceeded expectations.
Personally, I agree wholeheartedly with Dahlberg. Despite the fact Olofsson did not score for 30 straight games. He also noted how hot Olofsson looked in the first eight games of the season. The winger was well on his way to a spectacular year, scoring five goals before a wrist injury sidelined him for the first three weeks of November.
Buffalo Sabres winger Victor Olofsson exceeded expectations in 2021-22
Known for both scoring on the power play with a wicked wrist shot, it should surprise none of us that Olofsson wasn’t scoring at all from his return to the ice in late November to February 15th, when he scored twice against the New York Islanders. His wrist injury, we can conclude, affected Olofsson’s shot long after he returned to the ice.
And let’s be upfront with one another: Was anyone on the Sabres playing particularly well between November and the end of February?
Yeah, Rasmus Dahlin, Jeff Skinner, and Tage Thompson had their moments. But even they did not play their best hockey until March and April this season. Even following Skinner’s four-goal outing on February 13th.
Olofsson had 26 points the rest of the way, eventually earning a spot on the top scoring line. A restricted free agent (RFA), expect the Sabres to do all they can to keep him around barring anything unforeseen.
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He has proven that, when healthy, that he is at worst, their fourth-best scorer. At best, Olofsson can be the most exciting player on the ice for the Buffalo Sabres. If he stays healthy, look for even more output from Olofsson come October 2022.
Article Source: 2022 Player Report Card: Victor Olofsson by Jeff Dahlberg.
Statistics Provided By: Hockey-Reference