Nobody saw it coming. Everybody expected Victor Olofsson to have a quiet 2024-25 season with the Vegas Golden Knights. He came off a dismal final campaign with the Buffalo Sabres, when he scored seven goals and eight assists.
However, the Swedish forward surprised everyone. How? By scoring 15 goals and 14 assists. That's not all, though.
Olofsson was an essential part of the second-best power play in the NHL (28.3%), scoring six goals on the unit. Not bad for a guy who was signed to a one-year, $1.075 million deal last summer.
Now? He has the whole world in front of him. According to ScotiaStats, Olofsson is projected to earn an estimated two-year contract worth approximately $2.5 million. Suddenly, life has performed a complete 180, giving the 29-year-old a new lease of life.
That's the funny thing, too. His age makes him more appealing to teams looking for a lower-line scoring option. Who knows? That could be the Golden Knights or it could be anybody else.
How has Victor Olofsson resurrected his career with the Golden Knights?
Obviously, the power play comes to mind. The Vegas Golden Knights were desperate for a sniper after Jonathan Marchessault yee-hawed his way out of town. Those pee-wee hockey lessons aren't going to pay for themselves, you know?
So Kelly McCrimmon did what every man would do and went dumpster diving at the local Wendy's for the best bargain deal. Lo and behold, they got a guy who had a down year with the Buffalo Sabres.
Then, a funny thing happened. His shot was actually working. The Swedish forward scored three goals in the first four games, with two coming on the power play. Mind you, this was before he suffered a lower-body injury on October 15 against the Washington Capitals.
In fact, that was what stopped him from scoring 20 or more goals. A series of minor injuries and maintenance days can wear a man down. Still, that didn't stop Olofsson, who used his shot to snipe his way to six power play goals.
Now, Victor Olofsson can get his hockey life back on track
Everyone loves a good Hollywood film where the hero redeems themselves. It's meaningful storytelling that shows a person shouldn't give up when times get tough. How do you overcome your obstacles? What will you do when life throws adversity in your face?
For Victor Olofsson, he took the most of his one-year, $1.075 million deal and proved he was worthy. Now, he's on his way to getting a better deal in the NHL landscape. Could that be with the Golden Knights or will that come with a different team? Stay tuned, dear reader.
But one thing's certain. Olofsson's redemption story is worthy of a Hollywood film. He showed his worthiness during the 2024-25 season, whether that was Game 2 against the Edmonton Oilers, against the Chicago Blackhawks, or in the first regular season game. Get your popcorn ready because the sequel will shock everyone.