Olofsson ‘happy to be back’ with Golden Knights

Victor Olofsson, 31, said he is “happy to be back” with the Vegas Golden Knights after agreeing to a one‑year deal on July 1. The forward noted that little has changed since his previous stint with the club, which began two years ago after Jonathan Marchessault departed for Nashville. “I had a large clip present past clip around,” Olofsson said. “When the accidental came, it felt similar an casual choice. It was bully and quick. Happy to beryllium back.” He added that the opportunity felt like an easy decision and that he is pleased to return to a roster that was on the verge of a Stanley Cup championship. Olofsson originally joined the Knights two years ago, anticipating increased ice time and a larger role following Marchessault’s exit. He opened training camp on the first line and saw action on the top power‑play unit. A strong start yielded three goals in his first four games, but a lower‑body injury suffered on Oct. 15 at Washington sidelined him for roughly two months. During his absence, Pavel Dorofeyev seized the chance, ultimately tallying 72 goals over two seasons. Dorofeyev has since been traded to the New York Rangers, where he signed a seven‑year, $77 million contract, leaving the power‑play spot open for Olofsson to reclaim a more prominent role. “I was a small spot successful and retired determination the past clip I was here,” Olofsson said. “I had a batch of bully looks and chances, too, truthful we’ll spot what happens this year. I’m acceptable for immoderate and I’m excited.” He expects to begin the season on the third line alongside Tomas Hertl and Trevor Connelly, a trio that skated together again on Monday. Although it was assumed Olofsson would step into Dorofeyev’s place on the top power‑play unit, Coach Ryan Craig opted against a five‑forward alignment during the first look at special teams in training camp that day. Defenseman Shea Theodore quarterbacked the top unit, with Mitch Marner shifting to the right circle. Olofsson skated on the second power‑play unit and scored twice on the same drill before the top unit managed a goal. Six of his 15 goals from two years ago came while playing with the man advantage. “He’s recovered himself successful bully positions to shoot,” Craig said. “I deliberation his willingness to enactment himself successful an country to people those goals and usage those shots are a bully happening for us.” Beyond his on‑ice contributions, Olofsson reflected on his recent experiences, noting he signed with the Colorado Avalanche last season but did not complete the year there. He was among the pieces sent to Calgary in a blockbuster trade for Nazem Kadri at the deadline. He described the shift from a playoff‑contending team to a rebuilding environment in Calgary as challenging, though he appreciated his time with the Flames. “The guys successful the room, a batch of guys person won it 1 clip and came adjacent past year, too,” he said. “That’s the eventual goal.” “That’s wherefore I wanted to travel back, too, was to triumph the Cup. It’s ever a squad that’s successful contention each year.”