HabsWorld.net -- 

While Gustav Olofsson’s brief stint with the Habs didn’t go well this season, he has been a quality player in Laval.  Montreal rewarded him for his efforts on Wednesday, signing him to a one-year contract extension.  The deal is worth $750,000 in the NHL, $250,000 in the minors, and contains a total guarantee of $350,000.  Those all represent small raises on what he’s making this year.

The 25-year-old started the season the way his 2018-19 campaign ended, with a shoulder injury.  He was waived early in October and passed through unclaimed where he was sent to Laval.  A late November recall saw him struggled in three games with the Habs and he was sent back to Laval at the beginning of December where he has remained.

Since that time, Olofsson has been a fixture on the top pairing for the Rocket and has helped stabilize their back end while playing with a variety of players on the other side (including Xavier Ouellet, Josh Brook, and Cale Fleury).  He hasn’t demonstrated the offensive side of his game that he showed a bit more in Minnesota’s system but he has still put up 16 points (a goal and 15 assists) in 57 games.

As Olofsson is shy of 80 career NHL games, he would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency this offseason.  However, it appears he’s happy where he is and Laval head coach Joel Bouchard will certainly be happy to have him back next season.

Olofsson’s Stats: