Not many people were thinking of Victor Olofsson when he signed with the Vegas Golden Knights last summer. A one-year, $1.075 million contract acting as a prove-it deal couldn't go wrong for all parties involved.
Olofsson was coming off a mediocre 2023-24 season, scoring seven goals and eight assists. Of course, he was in Buffalo, where he was stuck on a lottery team. Ask Jack Eichel how that worked out.
Still, there were some glimmers of hope for the 29-year-old. For one, he had a hard shot and could snipe on the power play. The former Sabre did score 11 power play goals in 2019-20, making him a viable asset. There was also a stellar 2022-23 season when he scored 28 goals.
28 goals! That kind of past productivity would be welcomed by any team looking to win the Stanley Cup on a tight budget. Such deals make a general manager like Kelly McCrimmon look like an absolute genius.
So did Olofsson prove himself to be the most valuable bargain in NHL history? Or was his contract proof that he couldn't hack it in the NHL? Believe it or not, the answer will surprise you.
How Victor Olofsson did with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2024-25
Fans were surprised at how well Victor Olofsson played in 2024-25. The winger scored 15 goals and 14 assists, with six goals coming on the power play. Mind you, he did this in 56 games played. Imagine if he played a full season and didn't suffer a lower-body injury.
When Jonathan Marchessault left the Golden Knights last summer, people were worried about the scoring. One particular focus was the power play, where the Misfit scored eight power play goals in 2023-24. The next season? Four power play goals.
Never in our lifetimes would we have imagined Marchessault scoring fewer power play goals than a player like Olofsson. But it shows how vastly underrated the 29-year-old is as a player.
It hurts when you're surpassed by a 24-year-old. But a player on a one-year deal? You'd better pack it up and start square dancing with Alan Jackson.
An example of Olofsson's efficiency
One perfect example is Game 2 against the Edmonton Oilers. Olofsson scored two goals and an assist. By the way, both of those were on the power play. That was the same unit that produced the best percentage in franchise history (28.3%) this season.
Another example was on March 28 against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Golden Knights were having an underwhelming game, watching their blue line and goaltending collapse at the hands of Ryan Donato. In comes Olofsson with two goals, which decided the game.
Not many people thought of Victor Olofsson entering the 2024-25 season. However, he proved his worth as a sniping winger in various fields. It didn't matter if he was at even strength or on the power play. The Swedish forward was a viable asset for the Golden Knights, becoming the proverbial example of a "diamond in the rough."