Colorado Avalanche sign Oskar Olausson to an entry-level contract

The Colorado Avalanche announced Friday that they have signed 2021 first round pick Oskar Olausson to a three year entry-level contract. Despite the ELC, Olausson is expected to spend next season developing in the SHL before coming over to North America. That said, this opens the window for the team to bring the youngster over earlier and follow the same development path they set out for Mikko Rantanen a few years ago.

Olausson had three goals and an assist in 16 games last season as an 18-year old playing in Sweden’s top league.

“He’s a big, real mobile, good-skating winger, who has a great shot and a knack for scoring goals,” said Avalanche General Manager Joe Sakic of Olausson following the 2021 NHL Draft. “He’s hard on the puck, takes pucks to the net, and we’re excited for that skillset.”

Since the draft, Olausson as a part of Team Sweden at the World Junior Summer showcase where he contributed four points in six games.

Viewed by many as a steal at 28th overall, signing Olausson this quickly shows how excited the Avalanche are to have him in the organization. The big forward could be making an impact in the NHL sooner than some expected.