The Vancouver Canucks have made a bold and expensive decision to buy out the contract of defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The move comes as a surprise to many fans and analysts, as Ekman-Larsson was expected to be a key player for the Canucks in the upcoming season.

So why did the Canucks decide to buy out Ekman-Larsson’s contract? There are several factors at play here.

Firstly, Ekman-Larsson’s performance on the ice has been underwhelming since he joined the Canucks last season. He recorded just 21 points in 41 games and struggled defensively, with a plus-minus rating of -11. This is a far cry from his peak performance with the Arizona Coyotes, where he was a consistent 20-goal scorer and a two-time All-Star.

Secondly, Ekman-Larsson’s contract is one of the largest in the NHL. He signed an eight-year, $66 million deal with the Coyotes in 2018, which the Canucks inherited when they acquired him in a trade last year. The buyout will cost the Canucks $7.26 million per year for the next six years, which is a significant amount of money to pay for a player who isn’t performing up to expectations.

Finally, the Canucks are in a rebuilding phase and need to make some tough decisions about their roster. They have several young players who are ready to step up and take on bigger roles, and they need to clear some cap space to make room for them. Buying out Ekman-Larsson’s contract will free up some much-needed cap space and allow the Canucks to pursue other players in free agency or via trades.

While the decision to buy out Ekman-Larsson’s contract may seem harsh, it is ultimately a sensible move for the Canucks. They need to make some tough decisions in order to build a competitive team for the future, and this is just one of many steps they will need to take. It remains to be seen what the future holds for Ekman-Larsson, but for now, the Canucks are focused on moving forward and building a winning team.