Talk about a stinging reality check for the Vancouver Canucks! This season, they're facing a tough situation, struggling in almost every area, from goals allowed to goals scored. But here's where it gets truly eyebrow-raising: the highest-scoring player on their payroll isn't even on the team.
The Canucks have been floundering, reflected in the fact that their leading scorer, Elias Pettersson, has the lowest point total among any player leading their team in points. This season, there's a player on the Canucks' payroll who has outscored everyone on their actual roster.
This situation stems from the summer of 2023 when the Canucks bought out Oliver Ekman-Larsson's contract. At the time, it seemed like a smart move, allowing the team to add depth, which, in part, contributed to their impressive 2023-24 season, one of the best in franchise history.
That move worked out well for Ekman-Larsson, too. He went on to win a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in '23-24 before signing a four-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2024.
And this season? Ekman-Larsson has racked up seven goals and 25 points in 40 games. That total would place him at the top of the Canucks' scoring chart, a point ahead of Pettersson, who has nine goals and 24 points in 32 games.
The Canucks are currently in the thick of the Ekman-Larsson buyout, paying him a hefty $4,766,667 not to play for them. This cap hit makes him the 10th-highest-paid player on the Canucks' roster this season! Interestingly, the Canucks are paying Ekman-Larsson more than the Leafs, who have him at a cap hit of $3.5 million.
Vancouver will continue to pay Ekman-Larsson $4,766,667 next season before the buyout penalty decreases to $2,126,667 for the following four seasons.
Ekman-Larsson has been a highly productive defenseman in 2025-26. His 20 points at five-on-five are tied for fifth among all NHL defensemen, trailing only Lane Hutson, Zach Werenski, Cale Makar, and Jacob Chychrun. In comparison, the Canucks' leader at even-strength this season is Linus Karlsson, with 14 points at five-on-five.
Ekman-Larsson's strong performance earned him a spot on Sweden's Olympic team.
This situation raises some interesting questions, doesn't it? Do you think the Canucks made the right decision in buying out Ekman-Larsson's contract? What could they have done differently? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
