Former Golden Knight finally finds new NHL home

Reuniting with former Buffalo Sabres teammate Jack Eichel in Vegas, Olofsson was hoping to bounce back from what was a rough final year in Buffalo.

On that front, Olofsson did at least somewhat deliver. In 56 games played with the Golden Knights, the forward put up 15 goals and 29 points. He also recorded four points in nine postseason games for Vegas.

Despite the decent scoring touch and improved metrics. Olofsson remained on the free agent market for a while.

Some would point to Olofsson’s lack of physicality and questions about his off-puck play as reasons why he went nearly two months without being signed, despite good defensive metrics last season. It means that NHL teams cannot ideally use him in a fourth line role, and some would prefer to check their internal options before signing free agents in depth roles. However, the Avalanche hope that Olofsson can add some scoring punch to their middle six, as well as provide veteran stability in case they suffer a wave of injuries again.

It required some patience, but Olofsson’s good year in the desert has finally been rewarded.