A standout season in which Buffalo Sabres winger Victor Olofsson scored 20 goals and 42 points in 54 games has earned the Swede a spot on the NHL’s All-Rookie Team.
Olofsson’s goal total ranked second among rookies, trailing only Chicago Blackhawks winger Dominik Kabulik, who scored 30 times.
An ankle injury (15 games) and the COVID-19 pandemic (13 games) cost Olofsson a chance to become the Sabres’ first rookie 30-goal scorer since Ray Sheppard in 1987-88.
The injury also derailed Olofsson’s opportunity of winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie.
Olofsson, 25, finished seventh in the balloting for the Calder, which was won by Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar.
The 2019-20 NHL All-Rookie Team announced Monday:
Forwards
Dominik Kabulik, Chicago Blackhawks
Victor Olofsson, Buffalo Sabres
Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens
Defensemen
Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks
Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
Goalie
Elvis Merzlikins, Columbus Blue Jackets