{"id":514837,"date":"2026-03-21T12:31:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T12:31:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/514837\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T12:31:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T12:31:18","slug":"flames-victor-olofsson-making-most-of-opportunity-calgary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/514837\/","title":{"rendered":"Flames\u2019 Victor Olofsson making most of opportunity – Calgary"},"content":{"rendered":"

CALGARY \u2013 \u2028Going from first to nearly worst has been an adjustment for Victor Olofsson, but he\u2019s handled it like a pro.<\/p>\n

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Olofsson\u2019s first goal for Calgary was the winner on Friday as the former Colorado Avalanche winger led the Flames to a 4-1 victory over the Florida Panthers.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a little bit shocking,\u201d admitted Olofsson, reflecting on the trade. \u201cI woke up after a nap. I was gonna get ready to play that night for Colorado, and then I had a few missed calls, and obviously you figure it out and I knew what was up.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a deal consummated just before the March 6 deadline passed, the 30-year-old Swede was part of the return Calgary received in the trade that sent Nazem Kadri back to Colorado.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t really ready for it and it\u2019s a new situation for me, too, I\u2019ve never been traded before,\u201d said Olofsson, who is in his seventh NHL season.<\/p>\n

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Olofsson spent last season with the Vegas Golden Knights, who finished third overall but exited the playoffs in the second round.<\/p>\n

After signing a one-year deal last August with Colorado, he was part of the NHL\u2019s No. 1 team when his phone rang two weeks ago.<\/p>\n

Flames coach Ryan Huska knew it was important to get out front of it.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe first phone call you have with him, you touch on it with him,\u201d said the Flames bench boss. \u201cI understand how it could be a challenge leaving a team that\u2019s considered a Stanley Cup favourite to one that\u2019s not going to be in the playoffs, but he was really good about it.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe was excited about having an opportunity to maybe be put in some more situations here, and he\u2019s got a nice skill set. I think he has a good understanding of how to play the game, and hard games, so he\u2019s fit right in with our group. He\u2019s been a good addition.\u201d<\/p>\n

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In going from the NHL\u2019s highest scoring team to the lowest, the three-time 20-goal scorer is being counted on to help Calgary generate more offence like he did on Friday as the Flames won consecutive games for the first time in four weeks.<\/p>\n

Less than three minutes after Joel Farabee\u2019s goal at 7:44 of the second period opened the scoring, Olofsson made it 2-0 when Adam Klapka backhanded a pass to him in the slot. He sizzled a one-timer into the top corner for his first goal in seven games with the Flames and his 12th of the season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI look at myself as an offensive player and I try to contribute as much as I can, but also play solid on both ends,\u201d Olofsson said. \u201cI\u2019ve had a lot of looks, and finally got one tonight, and hopefully I\u2019ll be able to put some more pucks in the net.\u201d<\/p>\n

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While Calgary (28-34-7) remains second-last in the overall standings, they\u2019re .500 (4-4-0) since the trade deadline.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the guys we brought in, it\u2019s pretty seamless so far,\u201d said Morgan Frost, who scored his 16th goal Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201c(Olofsson\u2019s) been great. Such a nice guy, kind of quiet, and I think he\u2019s a big addition,\u201d Frost continued. \u201cTo see some of the chances he had on the power play today, where the goalie is just getting a toe on it, he\u2019s got a bomb. I think everyone\u2019s enjoyed having him around, and nice to see him get rewarded.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A free agent again this summer, Olofsson is making the most of an opportunity to play more minutes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really excited being here,\u201d he said. \u201cI just gotta try to get everything going as fast as I can, and they\u2019ve welcomed me very nicely here. So I\u2019m enjoying my time here.\u201d<\/p>\n

After the Flames lost a bunch of experience in Kadri and MacKenzie Weegar \u2014 dealt to Utah \u2014 getting some veterans back in Olofsson, Ryan Strome and Olli Maatta has been good for the dressing room.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve been great,\u201d said Blake Coleman, who had two assists. \u201cObviously, we got to see Olof\u2019s shot tonight. They\u2019ve got a lot of ability and more than that, they brought some good energy and they\u2019re happy to be here and are excited, and they fit right in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Matt Coronato also scored for the Flames, who continue their six-game homestand on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dustin Wolf made 24 saves for his 20th win.<\/p>\n

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

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