Top 3 ways the Buffalo Sabres could trade Victor Olofsson

It looks like the Buffalo Sabres will do all they can to trade winger Victor Olofsson before the start of the 2023-24 NHL season.

We know the Buffalo Sabres are looking to trade winger Victor Olofsson, but we don’t know how they will end up trading the power play specialist. However, there are several routes general manager Kevyn Adams can go when it comes to moving the 27-year-old.

In short, Adams can embark on the following:

• Package Olofsson into a draft day trade
• Trade Olofsson as part of an overall package for a goaltender or a defenseman
• Flip Olofsson elsewhere for a draft pick

Each move above has their own distinct advantages. So let’s explore each of them individually.

How the Buffalo Sabres can trade Victor Olofsson

1 – Package into a draft day trade

Other than the trade deadline, the most popular time of the year to make trades is at the NHL Draft. And you can expect Kevyn Adams to be working the phones now and most definitely on draft day if he’s interested in moving up or down the draft boards.

If Adams wants Olofsson gone sooner than later, he can include him in a draft day trade, especially if he’s talking with a team looking for someone who can score from the circle on the power play. Doing this will take Olofsson off the Buffalo Sabres hands, giving them immediate room to add a prospect as a replacement come the fall.

2 – An overall package for a goalie or blueliner

The Sabres need a top four defenseman more than anything else, and we saw evidence of this occurring time and again last season. Clearly, Adams will need to give up more than Olofsson if he wants a goaltender to serve as a 1A this season or a top four defenseman, but it doesn’t mean he can’t insert Olofsson into the deal as a “bonus.”

If Adams can make such a deal happen, Owen Power will finally have a viable partner on the second pairing. Of the three possible packages, this one is my preferred avenue.

3 – Flip Olofsson for a draft pick

How much is Olofsson worth if Adams were to flip him for a draft pick? Honestly, I’ve asked this question and have gotten dozens of different answers, so I’m not dropping a specific selection, though I will say this:

• Adams got a first and a second for Rasmus Ristolainen, and,
• He got a third for Erik Portillo

That said, if Adams went this route and ended up with a better-than-expected pick for Olofsson, it wouldn’t surprise me. If Adams gets a higher pick or even a mid-range pick, then I’ll applaud him for once again wheeling and dealing for something more than what I’d expect for Olofsson.

If he ends up getting a late-round pick, then it’s apparent that he couldn’t wait to get the 27-year-old out the door. Overall, if Adams can’t trade him on draft day or for a defenseman or goaltender, he will settle for a draft pick.

Source: NHL Rumors: Sabres and Victor Olofsson, and tiering potential offer sheet targets by Mark Easson, Yardbarker.com