Sabres' Olofsson Linked To Eastern Conference Juggernaut

The Buffalo Sabres have really struggled to stay in the playoff race this season and have been wasting a talented sniper in Victor Olofsson. He has played up and down the lineup, but has also been a healthy scratch for a number of games. There has been trade speculation surrounding him since before the summer and as he's a UFA at the end of the season, the time is coming that the Sabres are going to have to decide to finally move him.

While it might be a little tough considering the cap hit of $4.75 million AAV, the Sabres can easily eat half of that and whichever team acquires him will be getting a talented offensive contributor who is in need of a change in scenery for a pretty good price. Olofsson may only have four goals and 12 points this season, but in his four years in the NHL, has hit the 20-goal mark three times and is coming off a career-best 28 goals. With how young the Sabres are getting, there hasn't been much room for him. Buffalo may have tried to trade him already, but there may not have been many bites or the price might not have been right. They could possibly catch a team in desperation closer to the trade deadline.

A team that should show interest closer to the deadline is the New York Rangers. They have dealt with some injuries this season and could use the boost to their bottom-six. When Filip Chytil is back in the lineup, the Rangers aren't going to need help down the middle, but rather the wing. There isn't much noteworthy forward depth that can step in, so Olofsson would be a worthwhile addition to this Stanley Cup contender. If the team makes one addition, it will be to the bottom-six unless another area suffers a blow that needs addressing.