The Colorado Avalanche could have made this season’s best free-agent signing. That’s not hyperbole. That’s a function of watching the team play this season.
Yes, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are money in the bank. Martin Necas, and what looks like a team-friendly extension, has quickly dispelled doubts regarding the contract.
But it’s been Victor Olofsson who’s emerged as the Colorado Avalanche’s best signing this season.
Olofsson signed a one-year, $1.58 million deal this summer. The deal didn’t really move the needle much, but it provided some hope that he could fill a depth role for the club.
Fast-forward to the first five weeks of the season, and Olofsson has five goals and 12 points in 14 games. He notched his first career hat trick against the New Jersey Devils on October 28, and followed that up with Tuesday night’s two-goal effort against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Olofsson has not only solidified the Avalanche’s middle six, but he’s also been a solid addition to the power play. Two of his five tallies have come with the man advantage. That’s something crucial for the Avalanche as they wade through the stiff competition in front of them.
Considering the contract Olofsson signed, he’s delivering much more value than anyone could have anticipated. He’s well on pace to eclipse his career-high mark of 28 goals set with the Buffalo Sabres during the 2022-23 season.
He’s currently on pace for 29 goals, but could top 30 with a few more lucky bounces here and there.
Overall, Victor Olofsson is making the Colorado Avalanche look like geniuses for taking a chance on him. Most importantly, the club will have a crucial decision to make. They’ll need to extend him at some point, potentially getting a raise from his current AAV.
Olofsson finding chemistry on the Colorado Avalanche’s third line
The Colorado Avalanche’s third line has begun to gel quite nicely over the last couple of games. Olofsson has played with captain Gabriel Landeskog and center Jack Drury, making a formidable line.
Drury is a defensive specialist, while Landeskog is a jack of all trades. He’s one of the rare players who can do everything. That’s something he proved on Tuesday night by chucking knucks in the first period.
Then, there’s Olofsson. His speed and skill have really come to the forefront, making the line much more dangerous. It looks like the Avalanche could have the NHL’s best third line at the moment. Once Landeskog finds his goalscoring touch again, the line could be even more dangerous.
Don’t look now, but the Colorado Avalanche are just getting started. And that’s bad news for the rest of the NHL.