The Vancouver Canucks Are Officially Buying Out Braden Holtby

 

According to Rick Dhaliwal, the Vancouver Canucks are officially buying out goaltender Braden Holtby today. The Canucks were trying to trade him, but nothing would end up finalized. 

Holtby will be bought out today

— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) July 27, 2021

With the Canucks needing to re-sign Quinn Hughes and Elias Petersson, it is understandable that they made this move. Holtby had a $4.3 million cap hit and struggled significantly this season. In 21 games, the 31-year-old had a 7-11-3 record to go along with a 3.67 goals against average and .889 save percentage. Needless to say, this is not what they expected from him when they signed him last off-season.

Pierre LeBrun also noted that the Canucks may be bringing in Jaroslav Halak as his replacement. In 19 games this season with the Bruins, he had a 9-6-4 record and .905 save percentage. He should form a nice tandem with Thatcher Demko if it officially comes into fruition. 

Canucks have to replace Holtby now. Hearing that pending UFA goalie Jaroslav Halak in among Vancouver's shortlist of targets@TSNHockey @TheAthletic

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 27, 2021

Given the fact that Holtby has had so much previous success, it is likely that a team will give him a chance. 

Photo Credit: © Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports