Colorado Avalanche
Starter
Avalanche ink depth forward Victor Olofsson
Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/nhl-free-agency/57353/avalanche-ink-depth-forward-victor-olofsson
As training camp is fast approaching, the Colorado Avalanche continue to chip away at building their roster for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Just over a week after bringing back Joel Kiviranta on a one-year deal, the organization has inked another depth forward. This time a new face to the organization, left wing Victor Olofsson has joined the Avalanche for the sum of $1.575 million on a one-year contract.
Avalanche fans may be familiar with Freddy Olofsson from a couple years ago but Victor is more of a scorer with career highs of 28 goals and 49 points with the Buffalo Sabres. That performance earned him a two-year $9.5 million dollar contract which Olofsson didn’t quite live up to and he subsequently spent last season with the Vegas Golden Knights on a one-year contract. There he had a good season scoring 15 goals and 29 points whilst rehabbing his defensive game.
This signing reminds of another late summer transaction from a couple years ago when the Avalanche invested a $1.5 million dollar contract on scoring left wing Tomas Tatar. Obviously the hope is Olofsson is a better fit on the team but it’s a low-risk investment and one that could still yield an asset if it doesn’t work out. Olofsson’s best attribute is his shot, in particular a one timer from the right side as a left shot, which Colorado might have a need for on the first power play unit. Olofsson will have to prove his defensive game and forecheck intensity has improved to earn the trust of Jared Bednar to play above a depth role.
Comitting cap space and roster spots on rounding out the roster does put the Avalanche 2025-26 squad in clearer focus. But there’s still $2-3M in left in the budget for another add if GM Chris MacFarland finds someone to his liking. There’s still the issue of Martin Nečas and what to do about a contract extension and his future with the organization but there’s still a month until camp for some decisions to be made.
Source: https://www.milehighhockey.com/nhl-free-agency/57353/avalanche-ink-depth-forward-victor-olofsson