One of the biggest issues the Detroit Red Wings had in the 2025-26 season was a lack of even-strength scoring. The Red Wings scored 239 goals in 2025-26, with just 183 coming at 5v5. Once the power play scoring dried up, the offense died in Detroit, leaving them once again out of the playoff picture.
This, in turn, has led general manager Steve Yzerman to explore options outside his typical options.
While there aren't a lot of enticing free agents this offseason, there are still a few notable players that could help improve Detroit's depth scoring. One such player is NHL journeyman Victor Olofsson. The high-scoring forward hit 13 goals on the Calgary Flames, a team with a brutal -47 goal differential.
While Olofsson isn't going to be a major game-changer for the Red Wings, he can add a little extra oomph to the roster. Here's how:
What Olofsson can do for the Red Wings
Olofsson is about as low-risk of a signing as you can get. He's played on a multitude of teams and has experience scoring at both even strength and the power play. 75 of Olofsson's 118 goals came at 5v5. "His biggest weapon is a hard, heavy and accurate shot," writes The Athletic in their prospect rankings. "That makes Olofsson a threat to score whether he’s on the ice at five-on-five or patrolling the power play."
That said, there's a reason why teams aren't clamoring to sign Olofsson. His defensive play comes with quite a few nasty warts that have left him stranded between short-term contracts. He's still a good player, to be certain, but it's been a while since he scored 28 goals with the Buffalo Sabres in 2022-23. Without that level of scoring, there are times where his defensive play wipes any offense he could otherwise generate.
Fortunately, the Red Wings have a solution in an unlikely place.
Red Wings can turn their weakness into a strength
The biggest issue with Olofsson is that he can't cover for himself defensively. The Red Wings, on the other hand, have so many forwards focused on defensive play that they can't put up any scoring. This seems like a match made in heaven. Players like J.T. Compher and Andrew Copp can cover for Olofsson while he sets himself up for scoring opportunities.
What was once a massive flaw with Detroit's roster could quickly become their saving grace if they allow Olofsson to play to his strengths.
Best of all, Olofsson can come in at a cheap, short-term deal similar to what he's signed in the past. The Athletic projects him at a one year, $1.575M contract. Should the Red Wings fail to make an impact this season, they can trade him at the deadline for a return. If he's successful, they can play out his contract they way they did with James van Riemsdyk last season.
If the Red Wings want a cheap way to fix their 5v5 issues, Olofsson might be the perfect solution.
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