Quoting: dzmets
In terms of your production arguement that just doesn't hold water. With the exception of Kopitar and Kemper from this year only Oloffson has produced significantly more then any of LA left handed forwards. He is not a great defensive player but his metrics are not the worst on the Sabres nor would they be the worst on the Kings. As far as the majority of the Kings young prospects they have all struggled mightily to produce at the nhl level. I would expect maybe one or two of them break through eventually but more than likely a few of them wash out as well. Oloffson is by no means a perfect player that is why the return is a late 3rd rd pick and a B prospect. That is a reasonable return for a 20 goal 50 point per 82 game player which is what he is. He is likely looking at high 3's on a multi year deal, by no means asking for a huge some that the Kings cannot justify for the production he would bring. He would likely be a top 4 scorer on their roster. 5th this year playing a good chunk of the season injured. But over the past 3 years 2nd in points per 82 as compared to LA forwards.
When last I looked, 41 points (Arvidsson, Danault, Moore) is more production than 35 points (Olofsson). Arvidsson did so in fewer games, and Danault and Moore did so at a slightly higher rate per game than Olofsson.
Name a forward in Buffalo's top 6 who is worse defensively than Olofsson.
Name a forward in Los Angeles' top 9 who is worse than Olofsson.
Our forwards are expected to be good defensively. All of them are, even the rookie Arthur Kaliyev. The point remains irrefutable: Olofsson wouldn't play on our top two lines, and we have no reason to replace someone on our third line with him, especially given his defensive shortcomings and his higher cost and cap hit.
There is a reason why SIX forwards on YOUR team get more ice time than Olofsson, so No, he wouldn't be a top 5 scorer on our team. I predict that next season, all of our top 6 forwards plus Byfield and Kaliyev will record more points than Olofsson, and do so while being better defensively.
Feel free to sign him to whatever contract you think best. We wish you all the luck in the world.