Victor Olofsson

Olofsson averaged a career-low 14:21 of ice time last season, but he still set a new personal best in goals with 28 while shooting 17.4 percent compared to his career average of 13.8 percent. No player who averaged under 15 minutes last season even came close to his goal total last season, with the next best being Filip Chytil (22 markers). It will be difficult for Olofsson to sustain that high shooting percentage unless he plays a bigger role next season, which is doubtful given Buffalo's wealth of skilled forwards. The veteran forward also needed two incredible hot streaks -- a stretch of nine goals in 11 contests from Oct. 13-Nov. 4 and later 10 tallies in 12 appearances from Jan. 7-28 -- to reach those heights. Further limiting Olofsson's potential value is that he didn't do much in terms of assists (12), hits (16) or blocked shots (15) in 2022-23 and he had the second-worst plus/minus among the Sabres at minus-23. Olofsson is still a candidate to flirt with the 20-goal milestone, but temper your expectations beyond that.

Olofsson continued to be one of Buffalo's more important players a season ago, posting exactly 20 goals for the second time in three years while also finishing with a career-high 49 points. He managed these numbers despite a significantly decreased role with the man advantage, seeing 44 seconds less of power-play time per game compared to 2020-21. Olofsson, who will play this entire season at age 27, was rewarded with a two-year, $9.5 million contract extension this offseason. He's a candidate for increased production if the Sabres take a step forward as a team as many are projecting.

Olofsson's sophomore season didn't go anywhere near as well as his rookie campaign, which isn't all that surprising considering he plays for the Sabres. His overall numbers were reasonable last year (13 goals, 32 points in 56 games) and his power-play production was excellent (seven goals, 15 points), but those offensive statistics came with a minus-23 rating attached. With Buffalo in the midst of a rebuild that may go on forever, it's difficult to get too excited about Olofsson from a fantasy perspective, especially when he offers nothing in the hits/blocks department. The one positive here is that Olofsson should continue to get all the playing time he can handle.

Olofsson was fantastic as a 25-year-old rookie in 2019-20, racking up 20 goals, 22 assists, 17 power-play points and 127 shots on goal in just 54 contests. The Swedish winger should only continue to improve during his sophomore campaign. He'll be playing with an improved supporting cast regardless of whether he finds himself on the first or second line, as the Sabres added Taylor Hall in free agency and Eric Staal via a trade this offseason, who will line up on the first and second lines respectively. That, combined with growing comfort and confidence levels, should result in even more impressive numbers across the board for Olofsson in 2020-21. Look for the 2014 seventh-round pick to play at or above a 25-goal, 55-point pace while averaging around 2.5 shots on goal per game this season. Olofsson will contribute almost nothing in terms of PIM, hits or blocks, but his scoring upside alone will make him worth picking up at some point between the eighth and tenth rounds in most fantasy formats.

Olofsson showed some exciting offensive ability after coming over to North America from Sweden last season, and the 24-year-old should make a strong push for a roster spot in camp. He spent most of 2018-19 in the AHL, compiling 30 goals and 63 points in 66 games, and Olofsson stayed productive after being called up late in the season with two power-play goals and two assists in a six-game taste of NHL action. Olofsson's value will be dictated by where he lands in the lineup and his ability to earn power-play time, but don't be too quick to discount the possibility of a productive campaign if he gets off to a hot start.

It's been a long road for Olofsson, who was drafted in the seventh round in 2014. A few injuries stagnated his development but he broke out last season with 27 goals in 50 games to lead Frolunda in the SHL. Olofsson has an outside chance to earn a spot with the Sabres, but there's no reason to rush him. He signed a two-year deal, but has plenty to prove on North American ice despite the breakout season and will likely spend most of his time with AHL Rochester. However, if Olofsson plays well, he may get called up to show the Sabres what he can do.