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Former Vancouver defenseman is currently the highest scoring player on the Canucks payroll this season
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.
An ex-Vancouver Canucks blueliner is having a solid year and without a doubt is making Patrik Allvin wonder if he made the right decision by buying out his contract.
In the summer of 2023, following a disappointing campaign for both the team and the player, Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin decided to buyout the final four years of Oliver Ekman-Larsson's contract, which put an end to his time in the Lower Mainland after just two seasons.
"I was surprised. We had exit meetings, and I didn't see it coming." Ekman-Larsson said in an interview with The Athletic in October 2023.
He added, "We were just discussing next season like always. My focus was just like every other year and although last year was a bit different with my foot injury, I've had a long time preparing for this season, but bottom line, I didn't see it coming."
He added, "We were just discussing next season like always. My focus was just like every other year and although last year was a bit different with my foot injury, I've had a long time preparing for this season, but bottom line, I didn't see it coming."
Since departing Vancouver, Ekman-Larsson has enjoyed some success with the Florida Panthers, who he won a Stanley Cup with in 2024, and the Toronto Maple Leafs and with the halfway mark of the 2025-26 campaign officially upon us, the former Canuck is making Patrik Allvin regret his decision to buy him out nearly three years ago.
Former Vancouver Canuck making Patrik Allvin regret decision to buy out his contract
It's been a difficult season for the Vancouver Canucks as Adam Foote's group sits 31st in the National Hockey League's overall standings and they haven't got much production from their blue line.
Aside from Quinn Hughes, who was traded to the Minnesota Wild in mid-December, the Vancouver Canucks have just nine goals and 64 points from their defenseman this season, and it's safe to say that Oliver Ekman-Larsson could help them in a big way right now.
With 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists) in 41 games, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who was named to Sweden's Olympic roster on Friday, would currently be tied for the team lead in points on the Vancouver Canucks with forward Elias Pettersson and defenseman Filip Hronek, both of whom registered a point a piece on Saturday to draw level with the blueliner.
Ekman-Larsson, a native of Karlskrona, Sweden, has a $4,766,667 cap hit in Vancouver this season and next before it shifts to $2,126,667 for the 2027-28 though 2030-31 campaigns, with his contract officially coming off the books in the summer of 2031.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily