Olofsson Returns to Golden Knights' Third Line
Olofsson is expected to play Thursday against Detroit, with the club reassigning Røndbjerg and Kmec to make room.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Hockey
Vegas Golden Knights fans get their top-six-adjacent scoring back: forward Victor Olofsson is activated from injured reserve after missing games since October 6 with an upper-body injury. The team cleared roster space by reassigning forward Jonas Røndbjerg and defenseman Viliam Kmec.
Why it matters
Olofsson scored four goals in the season's first four games and two against Seattle before a cross-check from Kraken forward Ben Meyers sent him into the boards and to the locker room. His return gives the club an experienced scorer back while he is still listed week-to-week.
Olofsson's four goals in the first four games and two goals against Seattle are the figures behind his return from injured reserve. He has been sidelined since October 6 and is listed week-to-week, so how long he stays healthy is not yet known.
The players
Victor Olofsson
Golden Knights forward returning from an upper-body injury, expected to play third-line right wing.
Vegas Golden Knights
The NHL club that activated Olofsson and reassigned Røndbjerg and Kmec to clear roster space.
The details
The Golden Knights reassigned Jonas Røndbjerg and defenseman Viliam Kmec to create roster space and activated Olofsson from injured reserve. Olofsson will play third-line right wing, and Braeden Bowman moves back to the fourth line. He is expected in the lineup Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings.
Timeline
October 6, 2026: Olofsson is injured against Seattle and sidelined.
Thursday, November 2026: Olofsson is expected to return against the Detroit Red Wings.
Beyond the Strip
The club's depth-first approach, which carried it to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, shows up again here as a scorer returns to the third line rather than the top six. Olofsson's return follows that pattern of relying on forwards who can contribute up and down the lineup.
If you're heading to T-Mobile Arena Thursday, expect Olofsson on the third line with the fourth line reshuffled behind him. Check the club's official site for lineup changes before puck drop.
The takeaway
Olofsson's return adds a proven scorer to the third line while his recovery continues. Watch Thursday's lineup against Detroit to see whether he can stay healthy through the week-to-week window.
What happens next
Olofsson is expected to play Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, the next scheduled checkpoint on his return.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see Hockey coverage across the valley.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Las Vegas Review-Journal.
