Sabres Sign Victor Olofsson 2 Years 4.75 million AAV

[DarthEbriate]

6 minutes ago, Thorny said:

I hear you, but good teams need lots of good players. I don’t think we are *close* to throwing around terms like “expendable”.

There’d be a good spot for VO until, at least, it’s someone like Rosen beating him out 

I'm not predicting it nor even necessarily hoping for it -- but if Patrick Kane joins the Sabres one year from today on a "homecoming" 3x$3M deal, Okposo re-signs as a 4th line vet, and Quinn proves he's a legit top-6 this season, ... plus Tuch in the middle 6. Then VO might be on the move with 1 year of term remaining. 

[Sabres Fan in NS]

This is a reasonable signing ... term and $.

Good!!

Now they can put a bow on him and send him to Chicago with +, +, + for Kane.

[ISmelikZhitnik]

5 hours ago, GrassValleyGreg said:

 

I understand no longer wanting to be sellers at the deadline, but there is a strong likelihood we will be again this year. If not, great, we have a somewhat affordable contract for just another year. If we are, then Vic is probably are biggest realistic trade asset and this contract helps. 

I'm also just not very high on Vic and think we have multiple players very close who will more than fill his role. But for vibes, continuity, and potential trade value, I'm good on the two years. 

Once he recovered from his wrist injury late last year he finally showed me something 5v5.  Before that he looked mostly like a PP specialist.  Glad hes back on a reasonable deal but if Quinn pans out I don't think VO sees another contract in BUF.

[triumph_communes]

They could pay him 8 mil for 2 years and it’s be just fine. This is his peak contract. Good for 7th rounder VO.  2 year term is all the team could have ever wanted. 

Edited July 13, 2022 by triumph_communes

[Buffalonill]

Only thing I liked today 

[Porous Five Hole]

Assuming VO can finally put together a full season and reaches his ceiling of 30+ goals, this is a decent deal for the Sabres. If he doesn’t put it together, it doesn’t really hurt anything because the money wasn’t going elsewhere anyway. 
 

I am surprised less than 5M is what it took to buy out VO’s first UFA season. Or maybe the comps of 20 goal scorers making 5M+ didn’t exist and this is good money for him. 

Either way, it appears he “really wants to be here.”

[GASabresIUFAN]

I hate to ask this now, but if we aren't in playoff contention at the deadline does KA move VO for a major assets?  Honestly, my expectation for next season if Comrie can come through is for this team to be an 87-90 pt team.  If that comes true, then no way VO is traded, but if Comrie fails then all bets are off. 

Edited July 14, 2022 by GASabresIUFAN

[postseasonblues]

 Seems about right

[mjd1001]

8 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

I hate to ask this now, but if we aren't in playoff contention at the deadline does KA move VO for a major assets?  Honestly, my expectation for next season if Comrie can come through is for this team to be an 87-90 pt team.  If that comes true, then no way VO is traded, but if Comrie fails then all bets are off. 

I'm think the only way VO gets moved is if Peterka and/or Quinn are having seasons at the high end of expectations, along with few injuries up front.

As far as Comrie, what are we all expecting, and what do you want to happen with him 'coming through'.   If he can provide you a save percentage of about .910 and play 50 games, I think a good expectation is this team is right around where you think (87-90 points), plus or minus a few from that range.

[dudacek]

9 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

I hate to ask this now, but if we aren't in playoff contention at the deadline does KA move VO for a major assets?  Honestly, my expectation for next season if Comrie can come through is for this team to be an 87-90 pt team.  If that comes true, then no way VO is traded, but if Comrie fails then all bets are off. 

This contract is about seeing what VO does this year versus how Quinn, Peterka and Rosen develop.

It's about keeping options open.

[GASabresIUFAN]

6 minutes ago, dudacek said:

This contract is about seeing what VO does this year versus how Quinn, Peterka and Rosen develop.

It's about keeping options open.

I don't think there is any question about that.  However I don't see VO being part of the equation 2 years from now given how much talent at forward is coming up the pipeline.  A few of Quinn, JJP, Savoie, Kulich, Östlund, Rosen and maybe others are going to make an impact within the next couple of years.  My money is on the first 4 names I listed.

[dudacek]

1 minute ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

I don't think there is any question about that.  However I don't see VO being part of the equation 2 years from now given how much talent at forward is coming up the pipeline.  A few of Quinn, JJP, Savoie, Kulich, Östlund, Rosen and maybe others are going to make an impact within the next couple of years.  My money is on the first 4 names I listed.

And if Rosen trends to bust, Quinn struggles in the NHL and VO scores 38 next year while Mitts and Thompson disappoint, the equation changes.

Don't get me wrong I largely agree with you, and think that is likely the way Kevyn is leaning as well.

But best-laid plans, right?

[North Buffalo]

1 minute ago, dudacek said:

And if Rosen trends to bust, Quinn struggles in the NHL and VO scores 38 next year while Mitts and Thompson disappoint, the equation changes.

Don't get me wrong I largely agree with you, and think that is likely the way Kevyn is leaning as well.

But best-laid plans, right?

Hence why VO was signed. gives them options

[GASabresIUFAN]

1 minute ago, dudacek said:

And if Rosen trends to bust, Quinn struggles in the NHL and VO scores 38 next year while Mitts and Thompson disappoint, the equation changes.

Don't get me wrong I largely agree with you, and think that is likely the way Kevyn is leaning as well.

But best-laid plans, right?

Always good to have options.  VO pops to 30 (I have him estimated for 25 next season) each of the next two years and people here will want to give him a Skinner type contract.  LOL. 

I'll add another factor.  VO blows the doors off and the kids develop, the odds KO returns diminish.  

KA has a ton of decisions to make the next two seasons.  7 forwards (and Samuelsson) are playing next season with only a year left on their contracts.  The following season 3 key forwards (VO, Mitts and Krebs) plus 5/6 of the D come due.  The only 4 players contracted beyond 2023/24 are Skinner, Tuch, Quinn and JJP.   

I can fully understand why KA didn't throw big money at any of the UFAs, but I still would have really liked to add Palat to this group.

[dudacek]

I think Adams is trying to operate more like a football team.

He's trying to create a situation where the team develops and slides the cheaper back-up into the role of the non-core player who earns a big raise.

The trick is determining which players you identify as 'core" and sign long-term and which ones you can afford to let go.

[Cheektorado]

30 minutes ago, dudacek said:

I think Adams is trying to operate more like a football team.

He's trying to create a situation where the team develops and slides the cheaper back-up into the role of the non-core player who earns a big raise.

The trick is determining which players you identify as 'core" and sign long-term and which ones you can afford to let go.

Totally agree.  But I would like to add that it seems that most of the board believes VO doesn't have much of a chance to be a core player.  I'm not sure that I am going to agree with that and GMKA may not either (just a guess).  VO has only 1 full season of NHL hockey.  The 2 Covid seasons and a whole lot of turmoil surely has affected his development.  I want to see more than 188 games.

VO led the team last season in GW goals with 6 and had 4 (second on the team behind Jack) in his first real season and was 2 of 4 in shoot-outs last year.  He seems to be able to get it done when needed.  Like so many other of the young guys I so want to see how they play in playoff games.  If VO can keep improving and stays a clutch player he may become a player we want to sign another contract, core or not.

[nfreeman]

3 minutes ago, Cheektorado said:

Totally agree.  But I would like to add that it seems that most of the board believes VO doesn't have much of a chance to be a core player.  I'm not sure that I am going to agree with that and GMKA may not either (just a guess).  VO has only 1 full season of NHL hockey.  The 2 Covid seasons and a whole lot of turmoil surely has affected his development.  I want to see more than 188 games.

VO led the team last season in GW goals with 6 and had 4 (second on the team behind Jack) in his first real season and was 2 of 4 in shoot-outs last year.  He seems to be able to get it done when needed.  Like so many other of the young guys I so want to see how they play in playoff games.  If VO can keep improving and stays a clutch player he may become a player we want to sign another contract, core or not.

I think VO could develop into a core player, and could earn that status as early as this coming season.  As others noted upthread, I think this contract gives KA a couple of seasons to make that determination, and gives VO a couple of seasons and a pretty good opportunity to earn a big contract, either from the Sabres or from someone else.

IMHO, VO has shown plenty of signs that he's capable of being a core piece here.  In the next couple of years, the pressure will increase, as the team should be more competitive and thus should be playing opponents who bring their A games more often, and there will also be greater internal competition, with a bunch of good young forwards vying for playing time.

It will be interesting to see.  I won't be surprised if VO is gone after 2 years, but I also won't be surprised if he beats out someone like Mitts or JJP for a spot.

[bob_sauve28]

I was watching Isak Rosen highlights, and he was occupying the exact same role VO was on PP with that one timer shot, and he is very good at it. I just wonder if Risen is the reason VO only got a two year deal as they are expect Rosen to step in and take that role in two years 

[French Collection]

1 hour ago, bob_sauve28 said:

I was watching Isak Rosen highlights, and he was occupying the exact same role VO was on PP with that one timer shot, and he is very good at it. I just wonder if Risen is the reason VO only got a two year deal as they are expect Rosen to step in and take that role in two years 

Kulich had many similar goals with the Czechia U18 team. Quinn and Peterka may get some PP time this year too. With more overall talent, no JAGS, DG will have about 9 different forwards he can try out for some PP units.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

On 7/13/2022 at 5:53 PM, Sabres Fan in NS said:

This is a reasonable signing ... term and $.

Good!!

Now they can put a bow on him and send him to Chicago with +, +, + for Kane.

So, I see that there two that need their sarcasm metre settings tweeked.

@Doohickie and @sabresparaavida