Player Discussion Victor Olofsson (2014, 181st) - Part II (Heading to UFA, Playing at the WCs)

[Jim Bob]

Even though Olofsson was my version of @Chainshot and Bryson, I'm ok with moving him to adjust what's around Eichel. Eichel needs to play in a heavy system, where he's surrounded by players hounding the puck and retrieving it. Olofsson isn't that type of player.

I'd rather they slide him down the lineup 5 on 5 and use him as a PP specialist.

Once Eichel is back on PP1, VO will start lighting it up again.

 

[elchud]

Its sad how inept we are on the power play without Jack.

Maybe just do with Vic what people keep saying to do with Skinner. Keep him on the right wing with Jack 5on5, a guy like Iafallo would be great with those 2, a defensively responsible, aggressive forechecker. His shot on the off wing is so lethal, why take it away 5 on 5.

 

[Jim Bob]

Its sad how inept we are on the power play without Jack.

Maybe just do with Vic what people keep saying to do with Skinner. Keep him on the right wing with Jack 5on5, a guy like Iafallo would be great with those 2, a defensively responsible, aggressive forechecker. His shot on the off wing is so lethal, why take it away 5 on 5.

Skinner is effective 5 on 5 and VO isn’t.

Put VO with ZG and a Reider-esque depth guy.

 

[Fjordy]

He's could be a valuable trading asset, but we could also keep him on stay the third line.

 

[HaNotsri]

He's could be a valuable trading asset, but we could also keep him on stay the third line.

I'd like to just gift Skinner his spot on the pp.

I really like Olofsson and I don't think we should judge him 5 vs 5 considering how the team looks but I rather spend the money on Reinhart.

 

[Flash20]

People may not see it but teams would pay big for him come playoff time just for the PP and he could be one of those players that just goes off in playoffs

 

[HaNotsri]

People may not see it but teams would pay big for him come playoff time just for the PP and he could be one of those players that just goes off in playoffs

He performed great in a relegation series and that is a hundred times the pressure of the playoffs.

 

[BananaSquad]

Skinner - Eichel
Olofsson - Cozens

Figure out RW.

 

[Fjordy]

Skinner - Eichel
Olofsson - Cozens

Figure out RW.

Olofsson is not a top 6 player

 

[Kyndig]

Olofsson is not a top 6 player

Olofsson is just a perfect case of a player that performs better with easier matchups on the 2nd line. Olofsson has already produced more points at ES without Eichel than he did with him and actually leads all forwards at ES points since Eichel's injury. Even comparing him with other teams 2nd liners he doesn't fall out of place production wise despite the train wreck that is this season.

I don't think hes a top line player but hes definitely a 2nd line winger at this point. I feel like people just think this way just because of how good he is on the PP in comparison.

 

[Flash20]

He performed great in a relegation series and that is a hundred times the pressure of the playoffs.

I'm sure teams in ot playoffs with a pp would die for him

 

[UnleashRasmus]

Trade him for someone who can play away from the puck and do something even strength.

 

[Fjordy]

Olofsson is just a perfect case of a player that performs better with easier matchups on the 2nd line. Olofsson has already produced more points at ES without Eichel than he did with him and actually leads all forwards at ES points since Eichel's injury. Even comparing him with other teams 2nd liners he doesn't fall out of place production wise despite the train wreck that is this season.

I don't think hes a top line player but hes definitely a 2nd line winger at this point. I feel like people just think this way just because of how good he is on the PP in comparison.

Well, I disagree, he does almost nothing at ES, he is too passive, not physical, he cannot be a rider with a puck, his only plus is a shot, but he almost never uses it at ES and now he is useless even on PP without Eichel... Maybe a third line winger, but if other teams appreciate him a lot, we could consider trading him for a good player in the top 6 who will be useful at ES.

 

[BananaSquad]

7th round pick, 2nd full season (if you wanna call it a full season), leading this train wreck of a team in points... ya he’s a top 6 player for us and the least of the Sabres worries right now.

 

[5 Minute Major]

Olofsson is fools gold. Maybe Adams can sucker a GM into giving up something decent for him.

 

[2 others]

You gotta sell high with his point totals. He's not a difference maker, but that's exactly what the Sabres need.
Keeping him is ok too if there's no other way, for the points and his PP magic.

 

[jc17]

7th round pick, 2nd full season (if you wanna call it a full season), leading this train wreck of a team in points... ya he’s a top 6 player for us and the least of the Sabres worries right now.

I don't think most people think he's THE problem or a bad player, but our current roster isn't working and hes probably the most overvalued.

The way the team has done, free agency will probably not be an option to get good players, because the team is currently the joke of the league.

We can't move skinner because no one will take the contract.

Hall and montour will probably move.

Okposo, eakin, mitts, Lazar, Tage, sheahan, girgs have no value in a trade.

We're going to have to move some pieces with value in order to improve, which means eichel, reinhart, dozens, olofsson. I think olofsson is the most "overvalued " guy in that group where I could see us getting a return that leaves us in a better position.

I don't see our problems being solved only with the return from Staal, hall, montour trades. Trading 1 player won't solve things either, but could help move in the right direction

 

[Bendium]

I am not sure why people would want to get rid of Oloffson. There are some issues to be addressed to put him in the right position in the lineup and right position in the salary structure, but I wouldn't move him unless you cannot fix the second one, because you certainly can fix how he is used.

As far as his contract, the Sabres have made the mistake of gifting him a prime points producing position on the first line where Skinner should have been, which translates into more money. If you pay him for his points per game you are going to overpay. If you understand what he does well and can get a 5-7 year contract at a reasonable rate for how he will be used in the future then sign him. If not then trade him while his value is high.

So, first you need to move him to right wing where his biggest asset (his shot) is toward the center of the ice which maximizes his angle on the net. Play him on either the third or second line, whichever one you design to be more of a run and gun offensive line. Leave him in his spot on the powerplay.

Lastly, I will counter those who do not think he is anything more than a shot. In many ways he reminds me of Rienhart light. He has plenty of things to work on and get better at, and he does. He slowly, but steadily gets better at hockey. He is a more well rounded player this year than last. He will keep getting better. He is smart, has decent hockey sense, is a decent passer, etc. His speed is average but not a detriment. He is not a physical corner grinder, but he will go there and do what his size allows. He is one of the better hockey players on the team, especially if used by a coach putting him with the right linemates and deployments.

He is nowhere near the top half of my list when it comes to people I would get rid of or trade.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

Not sure why folks are eager to trade one of the guys with a clear role- putting the puck in the net. Ultimately you gotta score goals, Olofsson is our best weapon in that regard. Plenty of offensive forwards lack in their overall game- id like to see a bit more from Olofsson, but if he’s just a 2nd/3rd line sniper that’s cool too.

Like, what are people even thinking we’d get for him? What do we need more than goals? Feels like we need goals.

 

[jc17]

I am not sure why people would want to get rid of Oloffson. There are some issues to be addressed to put him in the right position in the lineup and right position in the salary structure, but I wouldn't move him unless you cannot fix the second one, because you certainly can fix how he is used.

As far as his contract, the Sabres have made the mistake of gifting him a prime points producing position on the first line where Skinner should have been, which translates into more money. If you pay him for his points per game you are going to overpay. If you understand what he does well and can get a 5-7 year contract at a reasonable rate for how he will be used in the future then sign him. If not then trade him while his value is high.

So, first you need to move him to right wing where his biggest asset (his shot) is toward the center of the ice which maximizes his angle on the net. Play him on either the third or second line, whichever one you design to be more of a run and gun offensive line. Leave him in his spot on the powerplay.

Lastly, I will counter those who do not think he is anything more than a shot. In many ways he reminds me of Rienhart light. He has plenty of things to work on and get better at, and he does. He slowly, but steadily gets better at hockey. He is a more well rounded player this year than last. He will keep getting better. He is smart, has decent hockey sense, is a decent passer, etc. His speed is average but not a detriment. He is not a physical corner grinder, but he will go there and do what his size allows. He is one of the better hockey players on the team, especially if used by a coach putting him with the right linemates and deployments.

He is nowhere near the top half of my list when it comes to people I would get rid of or trade.

Like it or not, points get rewarded in this league when it comes to contracts. I wouldn't bank on him accepting a "reasonable rate " .

I think a concern is also that he's not producing at even strength despite being in a favorable position. This year everyone's bad, but still he's played many minutes with eichel and reinhart without producing over the past 2 years other than pp.

I agree that he is still developing because his nhl career hasn't been long, but he'll be 26 when this season ends, 27 when his contract is up. You mentioned 5-7 years. Do we want to give him a contract until hes 32-34 with what hes shown so far? How much development can still be squeezed out at 26. We've seen some guys make a jump at that point in their careers but it's rare enough I wouldn't bank on it

 

[Bendium]

Like it or not, points get rewarded in this league when it comes to contracts. I wouldn't bank on him accepting a "reasonable rate " .

I think a concern is also that he's not producing at even strength despite being in a favorable position. This year everyone's bad, but still he's played many minutes with eichel and reinhart without producing over the past 2 years other than pp.

I agree that he is still developing because his nhl career hasn't been long, but he'll be 26 when this season ends, 27 when his contract is up. You mentioned 5-7 years. Do we want to give him a contract until hes 32-34 with what hes shown so far? How much development can still be squeezed out at 26. We've seen some guys make a jump at that point in their careers but it's rare enough I wouldn't bank on it

I agree people get paid for points. That's why I said his contract could be a problem, if it is then he become a trade candidate. The Sabres screwed up by putting him on the top line where he is collecting assists just for being on Jack's line. We already paid Skinner to collect assists with Jack. Rotating players through with Jack to increase their point totals, setting yourself up to overpay them is incredibly counterproductive.

However, if you can get a proper value contract for 5-7 years then yes I do sign him long term. 32-34 when his contract is up is perfect. You have to watch how the player has developed, and how he develops himself to project his future value. Noone made Victor the player he is today. He did it. They have completely screwed this up with Rienhart who they should have given an 8 year contract three years ago when the rate would have been much better. Instead they keep giving him prove it bridge contracts, while he keeps getting better. Now they will have to pay thru the nose for him, which is why they will have to trade him.

 

[Chainshot]

Trade him for someone who can play away from the puck and do something even strength.

Slot him properly and stop trying to make him what he is not.

 

[Jim Bob]

Slot him properly and stop trying to make him what he is not.

I don’t get why people don’t get the concept of a PP specialist. He brings a ton of value in that role.

He isn’t a perfect player, but few guys are.

 

[joshjull]

I don’t get why people don’t get the concept of a PP specialist. He brings a ton of value in that role.

He isn’t a perfect player, but few guys are.

I can simultaneously understand what a PP specialist while also understanding we will never be a good team, let alone a playoff team, without a drastic improvement 5v5.

Olofsson isn’t likely to help much on that front. Maybe if he was slotted lower as @Chainshot mentioned but it’s debatable how much.

He is what he is; a somewhat soft perimeter player with an amazing shot. Who’s best play is on the PP but more specifically on the PP with Jack. We’ve seen how much he struggles without Jack not there to pull coverage away from him.

Olofsson doesn’t have to be traded. But if we can get a player who helps us much more 5v5. Whether it be physically or offensively, preferably both. Its a deal worth thinking about. I’m thinking of players in the young Foligno mold.

You have a Patrik Laine player for cheap just be happy we will need him come playoff time someday

If only this was true.

Skinner is effective 5 on 5 and VO isn’t.

Put VO with ZG and a Reider-esque depth guy.

VO needs to play with a playmaker who can get him the puck when he sets up for his shot. Thats not Girgs or a Reider type.

Mitts would make more sense. A possible combo that could work is a 3rd line of VO/Mitts/Girgs. That would actually be a pretty interesting line to see.

Olofsson is just a perfect case of a player that performs better with easier matchups on the 2nd line. Olofsson has already produced more points at ES without Eichel than he did with him and actually leads all forwards at ES points since Eichel's injury. Even comparing him with other teams 2nd liners he doesn't fall out of place production wise despite the train wreck that is this season.

I don't think hes a top line player but hes definitely a 2nd line winger at this point. I feel like people just think this way just because of how good he is on the PP in comparison.

He’s not shown himself to be a 2nd line winger yet.

He’s played 10 games since Jack has been out of the lineup and has been caved in statistically in 6 of them. He’s been on the ice for 3 goals for/6 against. At 5v5 he has 2 goals (one was a shootout) and 2 assists ( both secondary assists). Thats hardly the resume of someone who is “definitely a 2nd line winger”.

He needs to come close to breaking even statistically every night while putting up at least that production (Preferably better, especially primary points) for a month or more before we can start thinking of him as a “definite 2nd line winger”.

 

[Flash20]

You have a Patrik Laine player for cheap just be happy we will need him come playoff time someday