NHL Notebook: Milan Lucic signs PTO with Blues, Avalanche sign Victor Olofsson

Lucic, 37, was last seen as a member of the Boston Bruins in 2023. After signing a one-year, $1 million contract with the Bruins in the summer, Lucic played just four games in his return to Boston before he was arrested for a “domestic incident” involving his wife. Lucic was given an indefinite leave of absence as he entered the NHL/NHLPA players assistant program. He has since taken a year off from hoc key before now attempting to make his return to the NHL.

After eight seasons in Boston, the Vancouver, BC native had two successful seasons with the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers before his decline began. Lucic saw his point totals dip over the following two seasons with the Oilers, before he was moved to their cross-Province rival, the Calgary Flames. Over the final four years of his contract, the 6-foot-3, 236-pound power forward would not eclipse 10 goals or 23 points.

Now, after taking a year off, the former Vancouver Giant is attempting to make his comeback to an up-and-coming St. Louis Blues team, who were the hottest club down the stretch and snuck into the playoffs last season. Lucic will have his work cut out for him to officially earn a contract, as he will be battling with Alex Texier, Alexei Toropchenko, Oskar Sundqvist, and Nathan Walker for fourth-line spots on next year’s roster.

Victor Olofsson signs in Colorado

On Wednesday morning, the Colorado Avalanche announced they had signed winger Victor Olofsson to a one-year, $1.575 million contract.

Olofsson, 30, is coming off a prove-it season with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he finished the season with 15 goals and 29 points in 56 games. 2024-2025 was only the second season of Olofsson’s career where he finished with a plus-rating, finishing as a plus-17. To be fair, Olofsson spent the first six seasons as a member of the Buffalo S abres, who haven’t made the postseason since the 2010-2011 season.

The Swedish seventh-round pick was one of the handful of remaining unrestricted free agents who had over 20 points. Olofsson joins a crowded Avalanche bottom-six, where he will be battling with Ross Colton, Logan O’Connor, Jack Drury, Joel Kiviranta, Ivan Ivan and Parker Kelly for a roster spot next season. This move leaves the Avalanche with $1.33 million of available cap space remaining.