With training camp well underway in the NHL, Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar has already revealed some of the things he wants to explore with line combinations. With a number of new players in the lineup and other players having left, there's obviously going to be some experimentation to find out what works. However, Bednar was very specific about how he feels about one player.
Victor Olofsson is an elite shooter
Victor Olofsson is one of those new Avalanche players, well known in the NHL as a player with an elite-level shot. When Olofsson signed in Colorado, it was largely believed that he'd play 3rd line wing with Ross Colton and Jack Drury. This still seems like the most likely spot for him moving forward, but Jared Bednar's comments on day two of training camp about Olofsson are interesting.
The Avs are going to use Victor Olofsson in the top six throughout camp to see if he fits there and see if they can spread the wealth throughout the lineup. He'll also get a look on the top power play unit.
— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) September 19, 2025
"He's an elite shooter. That's what he is," Bednar said.
I'm actually excited to see Olofsson get a shot at the top of the roster because I can see him feasting on the high-end playmaking abilities of guys like Brock Nelson, Martin Necas, and, of course, Nathan MacKinnon. So this begs the questions, who takes the open spot on the third line? And what does the top power play unit look like?
How the lineup could change if Olofsson earns his share of the minutes
I don't believe Olofsson earns a top six spot outright for the regular season, but he could definitely deserve time on the second line. The problem his selecting who moves down, and the first two names I come up with are Arturri Lehkonen and Gabriel Landeskog. I feel like Lehkonen is the "sixth" guy and would be an exciting addition to Jack Drury and Ross Colton. Landeskog has obvious reasons for getting more time on the third line as he's coming back from three years off due to injury. Other captains in the NHL play on the third line, Adam Lowry of the Winnipeg Jets comes to mind immediately.
As far as the power play, I think that MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Valeri Nichushkin are the locks on the top unit. If we add Olofsson, I expect the fifth player to be Necas. We haven't seen new offensive coach Dave Hakstol's power play schemes yet, I imagine Olofsson and his shot would work well in the bumper spot. He has historically been stationed in one of the circles, much like Mikko Rantanen did, and could obviously operate from that area of the ice as well.
A good problem to have
Trying to find a way to maximize a projected third liner is a good problem to have. The Avs power play has been somewhat frustrating to watch in recent seasons and a lot of that stems from not having quite the right personnel to run a second unit. Not running the top unit for almost an entire two minute power play is something that could benefit the team in other ways. Victor Olofsson is a major reason the Avs have the opportunity to actually run two power play units.