While Buffalo Sabres winger Victor Olofsson put up 28 goals this past season, he became expendable. Here is why trading him makes sense.
There are numerous ways the Buffalo Sabres can sell winger Victor Olofsson’s services to other NHL franchises, despite his overall ineffectiveness in most areas of the game that doesn’t involve scoring. And despite his scoring 28 goals in 2022-23, moving Olofsson makes sense for the Blue and Gold on many fronts.
While doing so will make the team younger and more inexperienced, they will be better off in the not-so-distant future despite giving up a winger who has seen time in 263 contests. Below, we will discuss the three primary reasons such a trade makes sense for Buffalo.
Why trading Olofsson makes sense for the Buffalo Sabres
1 – The Sabres have NHL-ready prospects to replace him
A couple of months back, I listed three potential replacements for Victor Olofsson should the Buffalo Sabres trade him. That trio included Jiri Kulich, Lukas Rousek, and Matt Savoie, all of whom dominated in the AHL and WHL, respectively.
All three players could find themselves playing in the NHL full-time next season. Kulich and Rousek are the two front runners as Savoie made it clear he needs to add size and strength during his cameo appearances in the AHL.
Rousek proved himself to be effective. But if the Sabres want someone to play a similar role as Olofsson but with the potential for a better overall game, then Kulich is their guy. Isak Rosen could also get a look, but like Savoie, he would do well to fill out his frame before graduating to the NHL.
2 – Olofsson isn’t interested in sitting during a contract season
When you’re 27 years old and in a contract year, you want to maximize your value. This is the situation Olofsson finds himself in. But with the Sabres sitting the winger toward the end of the season when they were vying for a playoff spot, it foreshadowed what will probably happen this year should Olofsson stick around.
Olofsson wouldn’t be interested in sitting and playing the role as an extra in such an important season for him. So to allow the 27-year-old to maximize his value, moving him would best serve his, and the Buffalo Sabres respective interests.
3 – Quinn and Peterka became more valuable in 2022-23
When the 2022-23 season began, Victor Olofsson had so much value that many, myself included, even contemplated that the Sabres would put him on the top six, perhaps even the first line while Alex Tuch dropped to the second. Instead, Tuch became one of the league’s best wingers while Olofsson struggled.
Not only did Tuch become far more valuable, but a pair of rookies named Jack Quinn and J.J. Peterka also saw their respective values increase. The pair experienced ups and downs typical of rookies, but as the season wore on, Quinn and Peterka became more effective players, and solidified themselves on the top six at least going into 2023-24.
But even if someone like Kulich, for example, were to pass them in the lineup, the duo still play a more complete game than Olofsson. And they have far more potential to become even more complete players in this league.
Meanwhile, Olofsson reached his ceiling with the Buffalo Sabres. That ceiling is proving to be far less valuable than what Quinn and Peterka will ultimately bring, along with Kulich, Rousek, and even Savoie.
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)