In this series we build the 2019-20 Buffalo Sabres roster one by one leading up to the season opener on October 3.
LW--Victor Olofsson
24 yrs. old
5'11" 181 lbs.
2014, 7th round (181st-overall)
Career Stats: 6 games | 2 goals | 2 assists | 4 points | +1
In a way, winger Victor Olofsson is a key player for the Sabres organization moving forward. Having a former seventh-round pick make an impact at the NHL level would prove to be a big step for Buffalo and makes it a tad easier to fill in other holes in the lineup without overspending for talent in free agency.
There's no question that any big strides players like 19 yr. old Rasmus Dahlin, and 21 yr. old Casey Mittelstadt this season will be directly proportional to any success Buffalo might have in 2019-20 and we can fit Olofsson, a 24 yr. old rookie, right into that narrative as well.
Olofsson was a revelation last season in Rochester as he led the team in goals (30,) assists (33) and points (63) in his first full North American season. Yet, as with any player either entering the pro ranks or making the jump from the AHL to NHL, confidence is a huge factor and a belief that your skill-set will transfer to every level is imperative. It's why good organizations nurture that sense of confidence and why they are able to see mid-lower round picks and mid-level free agents contribute meaningfully at the NHL level.
From this vantage point, there doesn't seem as if there's much more for Olofsson to accomplish at the AHL level and even though he's waivers-exempt, unless he has a brutal training camp and/or preseason, Ornskoldsvik, Sweden native should be in the Sabres lineup opening night and beyond. In addition, he has a top-six skill-set which includes a wicked shot and should he find some chemistry for those already designated for the top-six, he could very well be joining them for a meaningful number of games. However, with experienced players like Marcus Johansson and Jimmy Vesey having played those roles to varying degrees of success, they may keep Olofsson on the third line until they feel his confidence-level is where it should be.
Ideally, in a couple of years (or hopefully sooner) Olofsson will be a mainstay in the top-six getting feeds from either Jack Eichel or Mittelstadt and will be tinkling the twine at a level he hit in Frolunda two years ago (27 goals) and Rochester last season. That would be a huge win for the organization when it comes to proper player development.
For now, however, one should expect Olofsson to be on the team and next to Evan Rodrigues on the third line and on the right half-wall on the second powerplay unit aiming for a 15-20 goal season.
Building the 2019-20 Buffalo Sabres roster:
LW, Jeff Skinner / C, Jack Eichel/ RW, Sam Reinhart
LW, Jimmy Vesey / C, Casey Mittelstadt / RW, Marcus Johansson
LW, Victor Olofsson / C, Evan Rodrigues / __________
LHD, Rasmus Dahlin / RHD, Brandon Montour
LHD, Jake McCabe / RHD, Rasmus Ristolainen
G, Carter Hutton
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