Friedman: Rangers may have checked in on Victor Olofsson

Per Elliotte Friedman in 32 Thoughts, the Rangers may have checked in on Buffalo right winger Victor Olofsson. Olofsson, a shoot first pure RW, certainly fits the need the Rangers have right now. Not only is he the proper positional forward, he’s a shoot first mentality, something the Rangers need in the middle-six.

Buffalo’s miserable season aside, Olofsson was on a 20-goal pace the prior two seasons. The 26 year old is also an RFA, which Friedman noted may have ended the conversations, if any occurred, with Buffalo. Olofsson’s qualifying offer is $3.25 million, but he’s likely to get more on a longer term deal. In theory, the Rangers could just sign him to a one-year deal and let him walk, but that doesn’t seem to be what Drury wants to do.

While the Rangers are going to be connected to every player possible, it’s easy to forget that the trade we all think will happen rarely does. I think Rick Nash was the last “this is going to happen” deal that actually happened. There are too many Brad Richards and Keith Tkachuk rumors still out there, for those who remember.

Given what Friedman noted, it appears the Rangers want this middle-six winger to be a rental, and not a potential longer term option. Makes you wonder if Artturi Lehkonen is actually on their radar, doesn’t it?

The one thing we do know: No one knows what Drury is up to. He plays things close to the vest. If there are leaks, they come from outside the Rangers organization.