Vancouver Canucks defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson out multiple weeks with ankle sprain

Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin announced Saturday that defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson will be out for multiple weeks with an ankle sprain.

Ekman-Larsson’s injury occurred during the first period of Wednesday night’s 6-4 loss to the New York Rangers. He logged 4:46 of ice time before making his way off the ice and down the tunnel to the medical room. He did not return to the bench for the start of the second period and was ruled out of the game.

The Karlskorna Sweden product has registered 22 points (two goals, 20 assists) in 53 games this season. He is currently in year four of an eight-year $66 million contract he signed with the Arizona Coyotes in 2018; the contract sees an average annual value (AAV) of $8.25 million. He and Conor Garland were acquired by the Canucks in July 2021 in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes that revolved around draft picks and cap dumps in Louis Eriksson and Antoine Roussel. Throughout Ekman-Larsson’s NHL career, he has recorded 439 points (135 goals, 304 assists) in 901 regular season games with the Coyotes and Canucks. 

Additionally, Allvin also announced that defenseman Travis Dermott has been placed on the injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. Dermott last played on Jan. 25th against the Seattle Kraken. He has scored one goal and one assist in 11 games with the Canucks this season. In a corresponding move, the Canucks have recalled defenseman Christian Wolanin from third American Hockey League affiliate Abbotsford Canucks. Wolanin has six goals and 55 points with the baby Canucks this season. Wolanin has registered 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 70 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres; this will be his first game with the Canucks.