After spending two seasons split between the NHL and AHL, a forward for the Avalanche, may be ending his time in the United States. According to Johan Svensson of the Swedish publication Expressen, the pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) is reportedly being eyed by EV Zug of the Swiss National League this summer. Interestingly, it seems Olofsson won’t be returning to the SHL club IK Oskarshamn, where he played for two seasons before joining the Stars as a free agent in 2022.
Olofsson, 27, was selected in the fourth round by the Blackhawks in 2014. Despite a post-draft stint in major junior hockey with the USHL’s Chicago Steel and a four-year tenure with the University of Nebraska-Omaha, he wasn’t signed to an NHL contract. His exclusive signing rights expired in the summer of 2019, making him a free agent. He returned to Sweden, signing a one-year deal with MODO Hockey, then of the second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan. After an impressive performance with 34 points and a +15 rating in 52 games, he attracted attention from top division teams in Sweden and eventually joined Oskarshamn in 2020.
The 6-foot-2 forward found success there, tallying 42 points in 49 games during the 2021-22 season, which drew NHL interest. Dallas signed him after his SHL season ended, securing him to a one-year, one-way contract in May 2022. Although he didn’t initially make the team, injuries and suspensions provided him with significant NHL opportunities, where he recorded a goal and three assists in 28 games, primarily playing on the fourth line. Despite his limited postseason appearances, Olofsson sought more NHL opportunities. With Dallas unlikely to re-sign him, his signing rights were traded to the Avalanche last June in exchange for future considerations. He signed a one-year (and surprisingly, two-way) contract with the Avs.
Despite making the squad out of camp during his second NHL attempt, Olofsson spent most of this season on Colorado’s fourth line, with minimal impact, posting nine points, a -5 rating, a subpar faceoff percentage, and below-average possession metrics in heavy defensive roles, averaging just 9:45 per game. He was also assigned to the AHL Colorado Eagles after clearing waivers in late February. Although he was recalled under emergency conditions after the trade deadline due to injuries to several depth forwards, he was returned to the minors after a brief stint with the Avs.
Currently back with the Eagles, where he has recorded six points and a +8 rating in eight games, it appears Olofsson is likely to seek opportunities in Europe for increased playing time and responsibility. If the reported interest from EV Zug materializes, Olofsson would potentially join one of Switzerland’s top teams. Zug has achieved notable success, winning consecutive championships in 2021 and 2022 and making the NL championship series four times since 2017. Despite having only a few players with NHL experience, including former Blue Jackets winger Gregory Hofmann, former Devils center Brian O’Neill, and former Canucks winger Marc Michaelis, the team remains competitive in the NL postseason, currently tied 1-1 in their first-round series against SC Bern.
