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Vancouver Canucks have bought-out Braden Holtby

Former Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby will be an unrestricted free agent for the second time in three years.

Tuesday, Rick Dhaliwal reported that the Vancouver Canucks are buying the Holtbeast out of the final year of his contract, giving the team several million in salary cap savings a day before the start of free agency.

The Canucks finished dead last in the North Division last year, putting up a record of 23-29-4.

The Canucks left Holtby unprotected in the Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft and have spent much of the offseason looking for a trade partner for the Vezina Trophy winner. But Holtby’s salary next season ($5.7 million) and his cap hit of $4.3 million appears to have been much for other cap-strapped teams to take on without Vancouver retaining part of Holtby’s salary, which they were unwilling to do.

The move will give the Canucks $3.8 million in cap savings for the 2021-22 season.

There are several teams reportedly trying to land the 2018 Stanley Cup champion, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, including the Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, and Philadelphia Flyers.

Igor Burdetskiy

Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine
I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!
Igor Burdetskiy
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