From the Athletic's list of 10 biggest disappointments:

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Vancouver Canucks

Oliver Ekman-Larsson pieced together a renaissance season in Vancouver last year. The offense didn’t look like it was ever going to come back to its previous elite level, but Ekman-Larsson found a way to author the best defensive season of his career. OEL was around break-even in controlling shots, scoring chances and had a positive five-on-five goal differential despite playing the toughest matchups on the Canucks’ blue line, with a mediocre partner in Tyler Myers.

Ekman-Larsson’s steady two-way play was quietly a major catalyst behind the club’s storybook turnaround under Bruce Boudreau.

This year, OEL’s play isn’t even recognizable. He looks completely washed. Ekman-Larsson’s lost all the agility, speed and acceleration of his skating which has made him a complete liability defending the rush and moving the puck. It’s far too easy for attackers to completely blow by him and create odd-man chances at will.

With Ekman-Larsson on the ice, the Canucks have been outscored by a whopping 22 goals at five-on-five. Vancouver’s penalty kill, which he’s been a regular part of, is dead last in the NHL. OEL has been worth -1.2 wins according to colleague Dom Luszczyszyn’s GSVA model.

With four years left on Ekman-Larsson’s contract after this season, the Canucks may have to consider a summer buyout.

From the Athletic's list of 10 biggest disappointments:
- NewYorkNuck

That contract is going to bite this team in the ass, whether they buy it out or not. Should be an interesting off-season.

Canucks were out played pretty badly by a team that had maybe 6 NHL forwards playing.

From the Athletic's list of 10 biggest disappointments:
- NewYorkNuck

Do you try and restore value by giving him easy match ups? Can certainly stash him in the AHL? There's no way he is giving up 28m

Canucks were out played pretty badly by a team that had maybe 6 NHL forwards playing.
- manvanfan

In all fairness, the Canucks had 2 nhl defensemen playing.

Also, the shots were 32-29. I started watching in the 2nd period, seemed like a pretty even game to me.

Jeff Paterson

Alex Stalock is:
*35-years-old
*5'11 & 170 pounds
*7-7-1 on the season behind Blackhawks defence
*rocking a 2.60GAA & an incredible 92.1%
*celebrating his 2nd shutout of the season after making 36 saves in 5-0 win over Ottawa

During the game last night, the commentator mentioned that the Vancouver hasn't had a shutout in 170+ games.

Do you try and restore value by giving him easy match ups? Can certainly stash him in the AHL? There's no way he is giving up 28m
- manvanfan

Would he be giving up 28 million if he was bought out?

In all fairness, the Canucks had 2 nhl defensemen playing.
- Reubenkincade

With that, they did beat a team that's going to lose in the first round and a team that is just trying to make the first round.

Maybe there's hope for next season after all

Would he be giving up 28 million if he was bought out?
- Reubenkincade

A Oliver Ekman-Larsson buyout spans 8 years, has a cost of $19,333,333 and savings of $9,666,667. Ekman-Larsson is 31 years of age at the time of the buyout; therefore, the buyout ratio is 2/3. With $29,000,000 in salary remaining, the cost is $19,333,333, and the savings are $9,666,667.

I don't believe so.

With that, they did beat a team that's going to lose in the first round and a team that is just trying to make the first round.

Maybe there's hope for next season after all
- manvanfan

I won't be getting my hopes up, after all, they have been doing these end of season pushes for 4 consecutive seasons.

A Oliver Ekman-Larsson buyout spans 8 years, has a cost of $19,333,333 and savings of $9,666,667. Ekman-Larsson is 31 years of age at the time of the buyout; therefore, the buyout ratio is 2/3. With $29,000,000 in salary remaining, the cost is $19,333,333, and the savings are $9,666,667.

I don't believe so.
- manvanfan

A player doesn't get to choose if they are bought out, they only get to choose if the retire or are agreeable to an MTA.

A Oliver Ekman-Larsson buyout spans 8 years, has a cost of $19,333,333 and savings of $9,666,667. Ekman-Larsson is 31 years of age at the time of the buyout; therefore, the buyout ratio is 2/3. With $29,000,000 in salary remaining, the cost is $19,333,333, and the savings are $9,666,667.

I don't believe so.
- manvanfan

The question is, if OEL is bought out, would any team sign him? Probably eh? Chicago for 2 mil a season for 2 years

A player doesn't get to choose if they are bought out, they only get to choose if the retire or are agreeable to an MTA.
- Reubenkincade

huh?

The question is, if OEL is bought out, would any team sign him? Probably eh? Chicago for 2 mil a season for 2 years
- NewYorkNuck

I would say yes most definitely. Makes me think Keith Yandle. Flyers signed him to a 1 year 900k. Then he retired.

OEL would go back to Sweden I bet if Van was going to pay him 2m+ for the next 8 years.

So, that Pettersson kid is pretty good huh. 9th in NHL scoring, third for centers although MacKinnon has played ten less games. Been fun to watch the evolution of this kid who was 23 years old to start the season.

Here’s a young man who Reuby said four months ago he wasn’t a center, who’s now a top ten center in the league LOL. Really goes to show you how you have no idea what you’re looking at other than from a very high simplistic level!

So, that Pettersson kid is pretty good huh. 9th in NHL scoring, third for centers although MacKinnon has played ten less games. Been fun to watch the evolution of this kid who was 23 years old to start the season.

Here’s a young man who Reuby said four months ago he wasn’t a center, who’s now a top ten center in the league LOL. Really goes to show you how you have no idea what you’re looking at other than from a very high simplistic level!
- LeftCoaster

Should be trying out the 24 yr old right hand center that's healthy scratched most games.

So, that Pettersson kid is pretty good huh. 9th in NHL scoring, third for centers although MacKinnon has played ten less games. Been fun to watch the evolution of this kid who was 23 years old to start the season.

Here’s a young man who Reuby said four months ago he wasn’t a center, who’s now a top ten center in the league LOL. Really goes to show you how you have no idea what you’re looking at other than from a very high simplistic level!
- LeftCoaster

STFU,
Nighty has room room for you on the guzzler squad.

STFU,
Nighty has room room for you on the guzzler squad.
- Reubenkincade

- LeftCoaster

- Reubenkincade

He’s single-handedly ruining the tank!

I always wonder why a coach would save Petey for 3rd shooter. There's a decent chance every shootout that you may not make it to 3rd shooter. I'd go top 2 with him unless he's cold... which he's not.
- boonerbuck

Because losing is better than winning right now?

He’s single-handedly ruining the tank!
- LeftCoaster

He did his best to let Nashville back in the game, on his blown coverage.

Because losing is better than winning right now?
- micah555

That is not the Canucks way. You lose until you're out of the playoffs, and then win until you ruin your draft position.

That is not the Canucks way. You lose until you're out of the playoffs, and then win until you ruin your draft position.
- NewYorkNuck

This.

Helps to give ownership, management and fans some fresh optimism, heading into the following season.

That is not the Canucks way. You lose until you're out of the playoffs, and then win until you ruin your draft position.
- NewYorkNuck

As long as they finish within the bottom 10. There's a chance.