Sabres Daily: Big Buyout In B.C.; Teams Poking Around Olofsson

The Vancouver Canucks made the first big splash of NHL buyout season with the announcement on Friday that they will be buying out the last four years of the contract of defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson (@OEL23): first goal
@ConorGarland2: first assist

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The 31-year-old former All-Star had 22 points (2 goals, 20 assists) last season for the Canucks and four years remaining on an eight-year, $66 million deal. The buyout will be spread over eight seasons and range from $146,667 to $4.7 million. The performance of Ekman-Larsson has declined precipitously from his prime years in Arizona, but he likely will generate significant interest from teams looking for a veteran on a bargain deal.

Boston was reportedly interested in Ekman-Larsson when the Coyotes were shopping him two years ago, and Toronto with former Coyotes teammate Shane Doan as a part of their management team. The Buffalo Sabres could be interested in the veteran blueliner depending on his asking price.

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Olofsson Attracting Interest

TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that there are a few teams poking around on Sabres winger Victor Olofsson, but that nothing in terms of a trade is imminent.

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