Three-Time 20-Goal Scorer Surprisingly Still Available and Could Make Sense for the Maple Leafs

As we approach the midway point of August, the free agent landscape has been stagnant for quite some time, even though there are a few intriguing options that are still available like Jack Roslovic and Victor Olofsson. Both players are represented by former NHLer Claude Lemieux, who has the reputation of being a bit of a tough negotiator.

While the Leafs have been consistently linked to Roslovic this summer, if they miss out on him, they could look to pivot towards Olofsson, who is surprisingly still available.

The 30-year-old free agent is a 3-time 20-goal scorer as a member of the Buffalo Sabres and is coming off of a season with the Vegas Golden Knights in which he scored 15 goals in 56 games.

Olofsson recorded 81 goals and 163 points in 257 games between 2019 and 2023, and while his numbers from 2024-25 don't necessarily stand out, he did a great job providing secondary scoring as a top-9 member for a contending club.

The Ornskoldsvik native also has ties with Leafs star winger William Nylander. Not only were they drafted together in 2014, but they also played together for MoDo Jr. in 2013-14 and for MODO Hockey Ornskoldsvik in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

While the Leafs have a glut of forwards at their disposal, primarily in the bottom-6, there have been plenty of rumours about the possibilities of moving David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, and even Nicholas Robertson.

It's very rare that 20-goal scorers remain free agents this late into the off-season. However, that can work in Toronto's favour, especially if they can bring him into the fold on a PTO with no guarantees of a deal.

Based on the low-risk, high-reward situation, if things worked out, they could then look to sign him to a standard contract like they did with Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz last year. Otherwise, if things don't pan out, the Leafs could just let him go and allow Olofsson to re-enter the free agent pool.