Not much has changed for Victor Olofsson from the last time he was here.
There are some new faces in the Vegas Golden Knights locker room. Most of them, though, are the same ones he played with two years ago when he experienced playoff hockey for the first time in his career.
The 31-year-old is back with the Knights after signing a one-year deal on July 1. This time, he joins a roster that was on the doorstep of a Stanley Cup championship.
“I had a great time here last time around,” Olofsson said. “When the opportunity came, it felt like an easy choice. It was nice and quick. Happy to be back.”
Olofsson joined the Knights two years ago on the heels of franchise legend Jonathan Marchessault leaving for Nashville.
Nothing was guaranteed, but Olofsson was expected to see an uptick in ice time and a bigger role.
Strong start
It looked that way early on. Olofsson opened training camp on the first line and got reps on the first power-play unit.
Olofsson started strong with three goals in his first four games, but he suffered a lower-body injury Oct. 15 at Washington and missed nearly two months.
That injury gave opportunity to Pavel Dorofeyev, who wouldn’t loosen his grip on that role. Dorofeyev went on to score 72 goals in two seasons.
But Dorofeyev is gone after being traded to the New York Rangers and signing a seven-year, $77 million contract. The door is now ajar for Olofsson to seize a bigger role.
“I was a little bit in and out there the last time I was here,” Olofsson said. “I had a lot of good looks and chances, too, so we’ll see what happens this year. I’m ready for whatever and I’m excited.”
Olofsson looks destined to start the year on the third line with center Tomas Hertl and top prospect Trevor Connelly. That line skated together again at practice Monday.
It was assumed Olofsson would walk into Dorofeyev’s spot on the top power play. Coach Ryan Craig opted away from the five-forward unit during the first look at special teams of training camp on Monday.
Defenseman Shea Theodore quarterbacked the top unit, with Mitch Marner moving to the right circle.
Olofsson skated on the second power-play unit. He scored twice on the same drill before the top unit had scored. Six of his 15 goals two years ago came on the man advantage.
“He’s found himself in good positions to shoot,” Craig said. “I think his willingness to put himself in an area to score those goals and use those shots are a good thing for us.”
Glad to be back
Whatever role Olofsson gets at the end of the day, he’s happy to be back on a contender.
It’s why he signed with the Colorado Avalanche last season, but he didn’t make it through the year. Olofsson was one of the pieces sent to Calgary in the blockbuster trade for center Nazem Kadri at the trade deadline.
Olofsson said it was tough going from a team that was preparing for a playoff run, to abruptly landing in a rebuilding situation in Calgary. He enjoyed his time with the Flames, however.
But he’s back with the Knights. Not much has changed. That’s to his liking.
“The guys in the room, a lot of guys have won it one time and came close last year, too,” he said. “That’s the ultimate goal.
“That’s why I wanted to come back, too, was to win the Cup. It’s always a team that’s in contention every year.”
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
