What contract do you think is right for Victor Olofsson?

[dudacek]

Underrated tidbit from Adams on WGR today:

They are working hard right now on an Olofsson contract and he hopes to have something done soon.

He says Victor did a lot to round out his game this year beyond being a PP specialist.

What would you like to see happen in terms of Olofsson’s contract?

Edited June 28, 2022 by dudacek

[msw2112]

I think that Olofsson is a guy just hitting the prime of his career and he's a scorer.  I don't know what the exact metrics are for NHL contracts, but I am in favor of paying him with a longer-term contract.  Lock him up in his prime.  If the team decides it has too many good forwards and can't pay them all, that would be a great problem to have and you can trade some pieces at that time.  While I also advocate paying Thompson for some of the same reasons, Olofsson has been a scorer for several years, so I would say he's a proven goal scorer.  Thompson has only scored for one season.  Back to Victor, it is true that earlier in his career, most/all of his goals came from the right side on the Power Play on one-timers (which shouldn't be viewed as bad skill to have - he's one of the best in the NHL at it and it's a lethal shot), but it looks like he's expanded his game beyond that.  Draft, develop, and pay your own is a good way to build a team.  Get rid of the dead weight (which Olofsson is not) and swap in pieces here and there as certain positions become overcrowded and others are thin.  When you get up near the cap, move assets as needed to free up space.

If someone were offering an NHL starting caliber goalie for Olofsson - a major need for the Sabres - then I would consider trading him now.   The same could be said for a RHD.  If those opportunities are not there, go ahead and sign him up.

[sabresparaavida]

6x5 million. 

[Taro T]

29 minutes ago, sabresparaavida said:

6x5 million. 

If he'd go for it, that would be the deal IMHO.

[Thorny]

He’s been showing himself to be a deft passer of the puck - in addition to being an accomplished sniper - for a while now, less one-dimensional than perceived by some (at least that used to be the book on him). Long been an advocate for locking him up - that we do now look to be accumulating young depth behind him only enhances that desire for me. What we are beginning to see being built imo is the type of F depth (if development goes to plan, largely) that the good teams have that may allow success in spite of (guaranteed) injuries.

Obv. not comparing the two, but the old 5 x 5 we could (see: should) have given Briere back in the day seems good to me here for VO.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

53 minutes ago, Thorny said:

He’s been showing himself to be a deft passer of the puck - in addition to being an accomplished sniper - for a while now, less one-dimensional than perceived by some (at least that used to be the book on him). Long been an advocate for locking him up - that we do now look to be accumulating young depth behind him only enhances that desire for me. What we are beginning to see being built imo is the type of F depth (if development goes to plan, largely) that the good teams have that may allow success in spite of (guaranteed) injuries.

Obv. not comparing the two, but the old 5 x 5 we could (see: should) have given Briere back in the day seems good to me here for VO.

Welcome back my friend to the show that never ends

So glad you could attend 

Come inside, come inside 

Come inside the show’s about to start

…

5 x $5 sounds good to me too

Edited June 28, 2022 by Sabres Fan in NS
more goodly

[JohnC]

59 minutes ago, Thorny said:

He’s been showing himself to be a deft passer of the puck - in addition to being an accomplished sniper - for a while now, less one-dimensional than perceived by some (at least that used to be the book on him). Long been an advocate for locking him up - that we do now look to be accumulating young depth behind him only enhances that desire for me. What we are beginning to see being built imo is the type of F depth (if development goes to plan, largely) that the good teams have that may allow success in spite of (guaranteed) injuries.

Obv. not comparing the two, but the old 5 x 5 we could (see: should) have given Briere back in the day seems good to me here for VO.

You hit on the fact that he has become a more all-around player and not simply a one-dimensional sniper. He's a player that was developed in our system and worked to round out his game. After listening to KA on WGR it appears that the player wants to be here and the organization is working to get a fair deal worked out. This team is starting to acquire a number of goal scorers such as Tage, Skinner, Quinn, JJ who will spread out the scoring. As you point out the roster is starting to thicken creating depth so when injuries happen the team will be able to better absorb the losses and not be debilitated. The outlook is so much more encouraging than when the GM first took over. 

And by the way glad to see you back in action. You were missed. 

[Hank]

I don't mind that he's not physical but I would like him to forecheck and apply pressure on the D. He seems timid. I hope he's packaged for a needed upgrade. 

[Porous Five Hole]

I voted qualify him and trade. I am in the minority.
VO is 27 in July. While he certainly made strides this past season, his game is fully developed. I think we saw his ceiling.
For a contract that would call for 5M or 6M AAV, he would have to play to his ceiling every year to justify that cost. 
I am not willing to project he will be a 30 goals a year every season guy. He’s never done it. Might he have done it this year if healthy all season? Maybe…but again, if that is his ceiling, I’m not willing to pay this much money annually for 4-6 years to hope he can replicate his best year each year from here on out. 

[Geezie]

If you watched the cup finals, you saw teams with speed and relentless forechecking. VO isn’t fast and never forechecks. We need better to compete with the top teams. At most give him 2 for $3. 

Edited June 29, 2022 by Geezie

[tom webster]

11 hours ago, Sabres Fan in NS said:

Welcome back my friend to the show that never ends

So glad you could attend 

Come inside, come inside 

Come inside the show’s about to start

…

5 x $5 sounds good to me too

ELP at CNE stadium. One of my favorite shows. Carl Palmer was incredible.

[sabresparaavida]

8 hours ago, Porous Five Hole said:

I voted qualify him and trade. I am in the minority.
VO is 27 in July. While he certainly made strides this past season, his game is fully developed. I think we saw his ceiling.
For a contract that would call for 5M or 6M AAV, he would have to play to his ceiling every year to justify that cost. 
I am not willing to project he will be a 30 goals a year every season guy. He’s never done it. Might he have done it this year if healthy all season? Maybe…but again, if that is his ceiling, I’m not willing to pay this much money annually for 4-6 years to hope he can replicate his best year each year from here on out. 

While I agree that we may have seen his ceiling this year, I’d limit it to the stretches where he was actually playing healthy. He had 10 points in the first nine games, and in April had 6 goals, 16 points in. 14 games. Last season he showed the ability to be a ppg player, but injuries derailed his chance IMO.

[That Aud Smell]

Isn’t Olofsson a player who was being discussed as ineffective for stretches last season?

I know that he rounded into better form, but then we’re talking limited sample size.

I’d be reluctant to commit to a 5* year term with him.

[French Collection]

I voted 4x4.5.

I like him for 4 years, maximum. He will be pushed down the depth chart by that time and he is not an energy line candidate. 
He should score goals (20-30) and that skill is required to win games. If the prospects progress faster than expected, his contract can be moved with his production and skill set.

[JohnC]

15 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

Isn’t Olofsson a player who was being discussed as ineffective for stretches last season?

I know that he rounded into better form, but then we’re talking limited sample size.

I’d be reluctant to commit to a 5* year term with him.

There was a reason why Olofsson was ineffective for a long stretch of the season: He was hurt. The injury he had directedly impacted his shot, the most part of his game. Once he healed his play demonstrably improved. And what was most encouraging about his play is that he showed that he was more than a one-dimensional shooter. After he no longer was plagued with a sore shoulder, he played a more complete two-way game with adept passing and a responsible defensive game. 

It would be a mistake to allow a player that this team drafted in a low round and was developed within its system to go. If a reasonable deal can be worked out, he should be retained. This organization isn't at a stage where it has an over-abundance of talent. The GM is still working to add talent to the roster. If he left it would be a step back instead of continuing on with the rebuilding of this roster. I'm confident that a deal will be worked out. 

 

[ddaryl]

I'm a 4x4.5 guy.... 

[In The Buff]

I'd give him the least term possible even if it meant paying a little more if thats what it took for him to accept it. Money shouldnt be an option if we're picking up players to get to the floor.

Reasons i wouldnt give him more you've already covered, but he most likely is near his ceiling & doesnt forecheck & provide what we'd lack once Quinn, Peterka & Rosen & our youngins start coming up here. I have to think we still could add a veteran player into the mix which would change the complexion of the team as well. Now there's no guarantee they'll be as good as VO, but with the way VO plays do u envision a 31 year old VO in his same role down the road? How about a 30 year old VO? Where would he fit in i guess? And could we get the same thing he provides from one of our youngsters coming up?

Its a good problem to have because it means theres real competition

[That Aud Smell]

6 minutes ago, JohnC said:

There was a reason why Olofsson was ineffective for a long stretch of the season: He was hurt.

I remember that being inferred. Was it ever confirmed? Some sort of abdominal injury (hernia)?

I like the player. He's good and useful. But I would not call his game heavy, nor would the word "jam" be used to characterize him when he's on the puck. And that's a deficiency. I looked at teams playing late into the playoffs, and I felt like they have role+ players comparable to Olofsson, who can also play with their hair on fire.

So, to me, he's more than a replacement value player, but short of being someone who's part of the team's long range plans.

[Carmel Corn]

Nothing against Victor, but I am not convinced he is a lot more that one-dimensional still.  I don't see his game translating well for playoff style hockey.  If he was a few years younger, I could more open to a longer term, but I believe his salary needs to be a non-factor after two more seasons when our young core need new deals.  

[nfreeman]

15 hours ago, Thorny said:

He’s been showing himself to be a deft passer of the puck - in addition to being an accomplished sniper - for a while now, less one-dimensional than perceived by some (at least that used to be the book on him). Long been an advocate for locking him up - that we do now look to be accumulating young depth behind him only enhances that desire for me. What we are beginning to see being built imo is the type of F depth (if development goes to plan, largely) that the good teams have that may allow success in spite of (guaranteed) injuries.

Obv. not comparing the two, but the old 5 x 5 we could (see: should) have given Briere back in the day seems good to me here for VO.

Good to see ya sir!

I voted 6x6, but after being reminded that he just turned 27, I’m having a bit of buyer’s remorse.  Would be happy with 5x5 though.

He’s a good, homegrown player who improves every year, can play either wing, can score it and pass it, has good speed, seems to be a good team guy and is pretty much a lock for 25 goals and 50 pts if he stays healthy, with clear possibilities of 30-30-60.  That’s a valuable piece.  I’ll also note that the Sabres are nowhere near loaded enough on offense to move on from a guy with that kind of production.  

[French Collection]

If they could combine VO and Asplund into one player, that is the guy that would be a playoff beast. Kind of like Lehkonen.

[GoPuckYourself]

I chose 4x4.5, I think that's the right number and about when we'll want to get out. He's going to be 27 on July 18th, which isn't terribly old but we have prospects Quinn, Peterka who I'd like to get significant playing time. Plus we'll eventually be paying out Dahlin, Thompson, Power, Jokiharu, Samuelson and Tuch in the not so distant future. 

[tom webster]

At any term, if the number is less then $6M, he will be a valuable, movable asset at his current level of production.

[Taro T]

1 hour ago, That Aud Smell said:

I remember that being inferred. Was it ever confirmed? Some sort of abdominal injury (hernia)?

I like the player. He's good and useful. But I would not call his game heavy, nor would the word "jam" be used to characterize him when he's on the puck. And that's a deficiency. I looked at teams playing late into the playoffs, and I felt like they have role+ players comparable to Olofsson, who can also play with their hair on fire.

So, to me, he's more than a replacement value player, but short of being someone who's part of the team's long range plans.

 

Yes.  Granato or Adams (can't remember which) confirmed he'd been playing with a broken hand after it had fully healed.

[Cheektorado]

I'm 4/$4.5M guy.  No terms would mean they can see how much his game can improve and still leaves an option for a tradeable contract.