Victor Olofsson is headed to Colorado on a one-year deal, adding a proven middle-six scoring threat to the Avalanche as the 2025-26 season approaches. The 30-year-old has 20-goal seasons on his resume and posted 15 goals and 29 points in 56 games with Vegas last year after a lengthy run with Buffalo that included a career-best 28 goals in 2022-23. Across 2019-23, he produced at a 25-goal, 52-point pace per 82 games with 32 power-play goals, underscoring his offensive punch and special-teams value. Now, in the thin early stretch of Colorado’s depth, Olofsson could provide another reliable winger for the middle six and contribute on the power play. His defensive numbers showed improvement after joining Vegas, a factor that could influence Bednar’s deployment if he carries the trend into the Avalanche system. In the playoffs, he logged two goals and two assists in nine games, mostly with the man advantage, signaling a potential postseason-role ceiling if he stays productive. Colorado opens the year without Logan O’Connor due to hip surgery, and the bottom six has at least one more vacancy beyond that, even after re-signing Joel Kiviranta. The top two lines look set with MacKinnon and Brock Nelson centering flanked by a mix of Necas, Lehkonen, Landeskog and Nichushkin, but Olofsson adds depth behind them. With Kiviranta back and Olofsson in the mix, Ross Colton, Jack Drury and Parker Kelly face competition for third-line minutes, improving Colorado’s flexibility and threat level in the middle frame.

The NHL's free agency landscape is calming down as teams prepare for training camps. The unrestricted free agent market this year appears limited, with only seven teams having less than $1 million available in cap space. Notably, 11 teams, including the Chicago Blackhawks and the contending Carolina Hurricanes, have over $10 million to spend. This dynamic puts pressure on teams to make shrewd signings or trades, like the Canucks did by trading Dakota Joshua to free up cap space.

Among the valuable unrestricted free agents, Jack Roslovic stands out, having scored 22 goals last season. His offensive prowess is appealing to teams like the Maple Leafs, Capitals, and Canucks. Max Pacioretty, despite dealing with injuries in his recent seasons, made a strong playoff showing with the Leafs and could attract a contender looking for depth scoring. Victor Olofsson's strong shooting and power play potential could also draw interest, considering his performance last season with the Golden Knights.

The NHL free agent market is experiencing a scarcity of viable options as teams scramble to fill their rosters. Among the notable names still available is Jack Roslovic, a versatile forward who had a decent scoring rate with Carolina last season, but faced inconsistencies that led to him being scratched at times. Meanwhile, Victor Olofsson, recently released by Vegas as a salary cap casualty, is a power-play specialist capable of netting over 20 goals if given the right opportunity. Similarly, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk is yet to find a deal as his height remains a perceived drawback.

The goalie market is equally thin, with Ilya Samsonov still in search of a team. Max Pacioretty's potential retirement adds to the uncertainty, while players like Luke Kunin and Joel Kiviranta represent buy-low opportunities for teams needing depth. Meanwhile, Alexandar Georgiev and Kevin Labanc are also floating in the free agent pool, with options dwindling as the season approaches.

Leon Draisaitl scored a dramatic overtime goal, assisted by Connor McDavid, leading the Edmonton Oilers to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. This win extends the Oilers' lead to 2-0 in their second-round playoff series. Despite a power play opportunity early in overtime, the Oilers capitalized on their moment later, showcasing the elite synergy between Draisaitl and McDavid. The Golden Knights, after experiencing a major penalty against Nicolas Roy, expressed frustration over a missed call involving Viktor Arvidsson.

Calvin Pickard made 28 saves for Edmonton, with contributions from players like Vasily Podkolzin and Darnell Nurse. The Golden Knights' Victor Olofsson and Alex Pietrangelo were standout performers, with Olofsson netting two power-play goals. Game 3 is set for Saturday in Edmonton, as the Oilers look to maintain their comeback momentum, having earned six consecutive victories after trailing in matches.

The Vegas Golden Knights fell short in a dramatic overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers, finding themselves in a 2-0 series deficit after a controversial finish. A missed penalty call against Viktor Arvidsson, whose stick caused Brayden McNabb to crash into the boards, led to Leon Draisaitl's game-winning goal. Golden Knights captain Mark Stone emphasized the clarity of the penalty, while coach Bruce Cassidy criticized the officiating, stating it was a clear mistake. The Knights had their chances, with Victor Olofsson scoring twice and William Karlsson contributing as well. Yet, despite a strong performance, including 19 high-danger chances, they couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities, leaving them needing to regroup for Game 3 in Edmonton.