Player Discussion Victor Olofsson (2014, 181st) – '18-19: Rochester #12 (AHL)

[Moskau]

Olofsson is more of a complimentary player. I'm not sure he's exactly what Buffalo needs right now. Call him up so he can watch Reinhart, Sheary and Mittelstadt fail to do anything? Plug him in with Sobotka and Okposo?

 

[CatsforReinhart]

Olofsson is more of a complimentary player. I'm not sure he's exactly what Buffalo needs right now. Call him up so he can watch Reinhart, Sheary and Mittelstadt fail to do anything? Plug him in with Sobotka and Okposo?

Actually might play well with Reinhart. Reinhart can get people the puck. Also on the powerplay but who knows? Houlsey's player usage is terrible.

 

[MayDay]

He isn't a 20 year old playing his first season of pro hockey. Olafsson is already developed quite nicely

People still think of V.O. as a younger prospect for some reason. Forgetting that he was actually taken in Reinhart’s draft year.

He’s older than Eichel.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

People still think of V.O. as a younger prospect for some reason. Forgetting that he was actually taken in Reinhart’s draft year.

He’s older than Eichel.

Forget probability of this happening but if this guy turns into 35-40 goal scorer would it change view of Tim Murray at all?

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Forget probability of this happening but if this guy turns into 35-40 goal scorer would it change view of Tim Murray at all?

No. It just makes me wish the Swedish scout were still around. He’s one that left, if I recall correctly.

 

[enthusiast]

It won't really move the needle for me, because a 7th round choice doesn't display a lot of faith or confidence in a player. Better than unnoticed, I suppose.

 

[dire wolf]

Forget probability of this happening but if this guy turns into 35-40 goal scorer would it change view of Tim Murray at all?

If you get a 35-goal scorer in the 7th round, it's just good local scouting + incredible luck.

 

[toomuchsauce]

People still think of V.O. as a younger prospect for some reason. Forgetting that he was actually taken in Reinhart’s draft year.

He’s older than Eichel.

Good point, he is bad now.

 

[toomuchsauce]

Skip, I want to ADDRESS this issue. You KNOW that Victor Olofsson led the SHL in goals last year, and now he is scoring well over a point per game in the AHL. BUT!

 

[SwedeDreams]

Good point, he is bad now.

He was the shl top scorer before Elias Pettersson

 

[MayDay]

Good point, he is bad now.

No, my point was just that he has been a developing prospect already for several years. He’s been a Sabres prospect longer than several players currently on our NHL roster.

At this point, he shouldn’t need multiple more years of development, as is seemingly desired by all the people calling to “slow-cook the kid.”

 

[dortt]

No, my point was just that he has been a developing prospect already for several years. He’s been a Sabres prospect longer than several players currently on our NHL roster.

At this point, he shouldn’t need multiple more years of development, as is seemingly desired by all the people calling to “slow-cook the kid.”

if he's slow cooked for too long, he will be UFA age before he gets a real stint with the team.

If a 22-23 year old needs time in the minors after many pro seasons, no reason to sign him. If he's not ready by that age, simply move on

Of course, that would be incredibly dumb in the case of Olafsson. He's more than ready. Waive one of the scrubs

 

[truthbluth]

It’s not slow cooking his general development, it’s letting him have more than 10 games to adjust to the smaller ice and quicker pace of the NA game. By accounts from people watching those Rochester games, he needs some more time. It’s not a knock on him, it’s just easier to work those kinks out in the AHL.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

if he's slow cooked for too long, he will be UFA age before he gets a real stint with the team.

If a 22-23 year old needs time in the minors after many pro seasons, no reason to sign him. If he's not ready by that age, simply move on

Of course, that would be incredibly dumb in the case of Olafsson. He's more than ready. Waive one of the scrubs

Not every player is the same. Some guys need more time than others. Sounds like you would have waived Martin St Louis, despite the flashes of potential.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Refined doesn’t necessarily mean Smith is more dangerous offensively. There’s more to playing the game than finding open space and firing a shot on net. Again, not saying Olofsson is one dimensional. He’s actually a really impressive passer. But Smith excels pretty much at everything.

I'll refine my quip. What's more refined then being in the spot to score goals while on offense? That's raison d'etre for being there.

 

[dortt]

Not every player is the same. Some guys need more time than others. Sounds like you would have waived Martin St Louis, despite the flashes of potential.

pre salary cap, you could afford to let guys wait much longer. UFA did not start until 31/32. Now, it starts no later than 27

 

[sabremike]

Not every player is the same. Some guys need more time than others. Sounds like you would have waived Martin St Louis, despite the flashes of potential.

With very rare exceptions if a guy is kept in the AHL until their mid 20's they are very unlikely to amount to a good NHL player. People have done studies and reached the conclusion that a player's prime begins at age 22. If you have a guy past that age spending years in the AHL you are wasting prime years of their careers. And as was pointed out this is even worse in a cap league where you need players who are both young and cheap. Guys on ELC's who are good enough to play in the NHL should absolutely be on your NHL roster.

 

[dotcommunism]

No, my point was just that he has been a developing prospect already for several years. He’s been a Sabres prospect longer than several players currently on our NHL roster.

At this point, he shouldn’t need multiple more years of development, as is seemingly desired by all the people calling to “slow-cook the kid.”

I don't think I've seen a single person say that Olofsson needs to spend multiple years in the AHL (or should even be in the AHL all year this year)

 

[enthusiast]

There are always improvements to be made to one's game, but I'd rather call up an offensively skilled player and have him learn secondary stuff here while potentially contributing more than Tage/Casey

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

I'd like to see Olofsson play not because I think Tage is destined to forever failure, but Victor is currently out producing him, and has earned it.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

People still think of V.O. as a younger prospect for some reason. Forgetting that he was actually taken in Reinhart’s draft year.

He’s at about the age when most prospects from outside the first round start to transition to the NHL, so he’s not overly ripe either.

 

[dortt]

He’s the same draft year as Guhle. He’s at about the age when most prospects from outside the first round start to transition to the NHL, so he’s not overly ripe either.

he's the year before Guhle. Guhle was in Eichel's draft year

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

he's the year before Guhle. Guhle was in Eichel's draft year

Yes! Thanks for the correction, I’ll edit my post

 

[Castrophy]

It's not like Olofsson is some kid. He's played pro for the last three years in Sweden, being a great playoff player, and leading the league in goals last year. He had 50 SHL games by the end of the 14-15 season. I think it was smart to start him in the AHL to see how he handled the adjustment to the North American game but after this start I see no reason why he shouldn't be getting his shot in the NHL.

 

[Abraham de Lacy]

In my opinion VO has the same .. or better .. release as Elias Pettersson.