LATEST | Oliver Ekman-Larsson opens up on being bought out moments before playing his former team

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Cooper Godin
October 21, 2023 (10:13)

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After a subpar 2022-23 season, the Vancouver Canucks made the difficult decision to buy out the contract of Swedish defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

While it may not have been difficult just by watching Ekman-Larsson play, the amount it will cost the Vancouver Canucks spread out over the next eight years is something the organization would have liked to have avoided. Still, unfortunately, it needed to be done.

Thankfully, the salary cap is expected to go up significantly next summer and will likely go up even more over the next eight years to a point where Ekman-Larsson's cap hit, which varies depending on the season, will look minuscule.

On Saturday night, Ekman-Larsson, who now plays for the Florida Panthers, will face his former team for the first time and on the biggest of stages, Hockey Night in Canada. Recently, Ekman-Larsson sat down for an interview with The Athletic and said he didn't see it coming when discussing his buyout.

"I was surprised," Ekman-Larsson said in an interview with The Athletic following Florida Panthers practice on Friday afternoon. "We had exit meetings, and I didn't see it coming."

He added, "We were just discussing next season like always. My focus was just like every other year � 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."

Once Ekman-Larsson was bought out by the Canucks, it didn't take him too long to find a new home, as he inked a one-year contract worth $2.25 million with the Panthers. A big reason why the Panthers took a chance on Ekman-Larsson was because of their depleted blue line. Radko Gudas left the organization in free agency, signing with the Anaheim Ducks. At the same time, Brandon Montour and Aaron Ekblad aren't expected back for at least another month or so due to their respective injuries.

It's probably safe to say that Canucks fans are rooting for Oliver Ekman-Larsson and hope he does well during his time with the Florida Panthers, other than tonight's game against Vancouver. The puck drop for tonight's game in South Florida is set for 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on Sportsnet.