We are just a month-and-a-half from training camp, and Victor Olofsson is still with the Buffalo Sabres, so let’s break down his 2023-24 outlook.
The Buffalo Sabres need someone to step in and take Jack Quinn’s spot for up to the first half of the 2023-24 season. And while I said before that Quinn’s injury wouldn’t have changed the Blue and Gold’s plans regarding Olofsson a few weeks back, here we are in August, and the winger is still with the team.
So, assuming Olofsson is still in a Sabres uniform on opening night, what can we expect out of the dynamic scorer? Honestly, probably only that – goals. And while the object of winning a hockey game means scoring more goals than your opponent, there are sequences galore that go into scoring goals, which Olofsson unfortunately lacks in nearly every facet.
Just look at his numbers last season when he recorded a sensational 28 goals. The problem? As mentioned above, he did nothing to help the team in any other category. Here’s another number to think about: He had 12 assists, and nearly half (five of them) occurred on the power play.
Buffalo Sabres may keep Olofsson for a portion of the season
Once Jack Quinn returns to the lineup, is there really any other reason to keep Olofsson around if he fills in for the second-year winger? Unless he dramatically improves the other facets of his game and barring further injury to the forwards in the lineup, then the answer is no.
Enter the trade deadline, where the Sabres will end up as buyers if they make the jump and are more than just fringe wild card contenders. Even if they are on the outside looking in, there is still a good chance that they will be buyers.
But they may also look to sell off a few assets, and perhaps someone in the Western Conference will need a player who specializes in making things happen on the power play. If that’s the case, then if the Blue and Gold trades for a power forward, for example, they will also need to make room in the lineup, which could mean moving Olofsson out west.
At this point, I’m expecting Olofsson to remain with the Buffalo Sabres. But it doesn’t mean he will stay in the Queen City all season. If the Sabres buy at the deadline, then Olofsson may end the year playing in another uniform.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)