3 reasons why the Buffalo Sabres may have a hard time trading Olofsson

The Buffalo Sabres would ideally want to trade Victor Olofsson this offseason, but pulling off such a deal may not be an easy feat. 

Here is the truth regarding Victor Olofsson: He is, at best, an average player. Sure, 28 goals in one year may indicate otherwise, but when you look at how poorly Olofsson played in just about every other aspect of the game, it shows you that he doesn’t carry anywhere near as much value as his 28-goal season otherwise indicates.

That alone will make it tough for the Sabres to move Olofsson. But it’s not the only reason. For a winger whose play is below average in about every other aspect of the game, general managers who may be interested in acquiring his services will undoubtedly take the wait-and-see approach.

Why the Buffalo Sabres could have a hard time trading Victor Olofsson

1 – Olofsson pales when compared to other potential trade candidates

Olofsson won’t be the only forward on the trade market, as players like Alex DeBrincat and Pierre-Luc Dubois could be joining him. Clearly, DeBrincat and Dubois carry more value, even if teams would need to give up more compensation for them.

DeBrincat, who just last year was traded to the Ottawa Senators, was a far more productive, more physical player than Olofsson. With a potential rebuild looming for the Winnipeg Jets, Dubois is also a better option. Both aren’t just younger, more complete talents, they have proven they can log far more ice time than the Buffalo Sabres winger.

2 – More potential talent in the free agent class than what Olofsson offers

Further, general managers will also be looking to the free agent class. And while this year’s class may not project to be as strong as those in the recent past, there could still be better options than Olofsson in it like Michael Bunting, for example. Bunting and Olofsson are both in their mid-to-late 20s, but the former has proven to be a far more effective player.

Bunting won’t be the only unrestricted free agent other teams will turn to those who are better and more complete players than Olofsson. Sure, Olofsson may go for a cheaper price, but if other teams have the cap space available and/or are willing to give up more in compensation, then it’s unlikely they trade for the Buffalo Sabres winger.

3 – Red flags that the Sabres raised toward the end of 2022-23

While sitting Victor Olofsson made sense in the short run since the Sabres wanted their best players on the ice for their first serious run at the playoffs in over a decade, they did themselves no favors in the eyes of other NHL teams. Clearly, sitting Olofsson raised red flags, as it confirmed the winger’s overall inefficacy.

In hindsight, that could come back to bite Buffalo. I don’t know about you, but if I were an NHL general manager, I’d have a hard time trading for someone the Sabres lost complete faith in if there are better potential options.

Final Thoughts

Overall, we will need to see who becomes available once NHL free agency begins. If more players ultimately re-sign with their respective teams and those we believe could be on the trade block don’t end up on it, the Buffalo Sabres will have an easier time trading Olofsson.

But if and when there are more lucrative options out there that general managers can acquire via trade or free agency, even at a higher compensation the Blue and Gold won’t have such an easy time trading the 27-year-old. We will get a clearer picture handed to us about two-and-a-half weeks from today.

Source: Victor Olofsson and his camp expect a trade from Sabres, but it could take a while by Lance Lysowski, BuffaloNews.com

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)