Victor Olofsson Requests Trade as Shot at Big UFA Deal Fading

Olofsson’s performance this season has been subpar compared to his previous years, managing only four goals and eight assists in 35 games. In contrast, he scored an impressive 28 goals just last season, and his current struggles have sparked a desire for a change. The team has also struggled, the third-worst team in the Eastern Conference.

Not only that, for Olofsson, the downturn in his production and the team’s brutal play comes at a terrible time. He was playing for a lucrative free-agent contract as a pending UFA. It now seems uncertain he’ll be a coveted player from any organization.

Olofsson’s Contract Could Pose a Trade Problem

But a trade won’t be easy to pull off. The winger’s $4.75MM cap hit poses a significant challenge for potential suitors. Contending teams with limited cap space may find it difficult to accommodate his salary, even with the maximum 50% retention. If he were having a repeat season from last year, things might be different. But, money is so hard to come by this year that this financial constraint narrows the possibilities for Olofsson’s potential move.

Speculations suggest that his best chance of leaving the Sabres may lie with a non-playoff team capable of absorbing his contract. Perhaps a team like Chicago or Anaheim might make sense. A potential scenario involves a trade with a team facing injuries, looking to fill roster gaps, or swapping expiring contracts with an underachieving forward. Nevertheless, executing such a move might prove intricate.