The Vancouver Canucks are expected to buy out the contract of defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Ekman-Larsson has four years remaining on an eight-year, $66 million deal he signed in 2018 while playing for the Arizona Coyotes. According to CapFriendly, the Canucks' buyout -- spanning eight years -- has Vancouver taking on 88% of the costs, and Arizona shouldering the other 12%.

In total, Ekman-Larsson will receive $19.5 million over the life of the buyout. He will continue to count against the Canucks' cap hit though through 2028-29.