Buffalo Sabres: Quinn’s injury won’t change Olofsson’s outlook

With Jack Quinn being out for at least four, and probably as long as six months, the Buffalo Sabres will be replacing him in the meantime.

Yesterday, I outlined three players who could replace Jack Quinn on the Buffalo Sabres second line. Casey Mittelstadt, given his remarkable play when replacing an injured Tage Thompson late last season, is the obvious choice, while, if the Blue and Gold choose not to sign a UFA forward (and they probably won’t, knowing general manager Kevyn Adams), Peyton Krebs is a viable candidate to center the third line.

The third line could likely comprise Jordan Greenway and an incoming prospect like Jiri Kulich or Lukas Rousek flanking Krebs, though I would keep Kulich and Rousek in mind to also replace Quinn. Anyway, as you can see from this current projection, something, or someone, is missing: Victor Olofsson.

Olofsson, even with Quinn’s injury, is still likely to be moved unless Adams can’t find a trade partner for the goal-scoring specialist. As it stands, all options remain on the table, but Bill Hoppe of Buffalo Hockey Beat had this to say earlier in the week:

“Adams acknowledged he’s exploring the trade market for the Swede, who has one year and $4.75 million left on his contract.” – via Buffalo Hockey Beat

Buffalo Sabres will still look to trade Victor Olofsson regardless

Quinn’s injury, however, will at least sway what Adams may want for Olofsson. You saw my projection listed above, but you may also notice something else: No one is centering the fourth line. 

Now, there are in-house options the Sabres can take. Prospect Tyson Kozak is one, as he did an amazing job in Rochester this past season on the penalty kill, winning faceoffs, and playing an overall physical game. Kozak can make the leap, and with Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons (roughly 27 combined seasons of NHL experience) flanking him, the rookie would be just fine in such a situation.

But maybe Adams doesn’t want to add another prospect to the lineup. Perhaps he wants experience. That’s where trading Olofsson comes more into fruition.

Swap him for a fourth liner who can double up as a faceoff specialist and perhaps work wonders on the penalty kill. It will be interesting to see whether Adams takes such a route.

Source: Sabres notes: Kevyn Adams exploring trade market for Victor Olofsson by Bill Hoppe, BuffaloHockeyBeat.com