The NHL buyout window has begun and the first big name to be bought out is Oliver Ekman-Larsson, formerly of the Vancouver Canucks. This was one of the larger contracts to be bought out with 4 years remaining on his deal.
The 31-year-old defenseman was once considered one of the top players in his position but has struggled upon arriving in Vancouver.
Drafted in the first round of the 2009 NHL draft, Ekman-Larsson flourished in Phoenix with the Coyotes. The Swede became the captain of the team that drafted him after the long-time captain, Shane Doan, retired.