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Samuel Pahlsson leaves NHL, signs deal in Sweden

Edmonton Oilers v Vancouver Canucks

VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 7: Ales Hemsky #83 of the Edmonton Oilers tries to check Samuel Pahlsson #26 of the Vancouver Canucks during the second period in NHL action on April 07, 2012 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

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The Vancouver Canucks, nor the NHL, won’t have Samuel Pahlsson to kick around next season.

The longtime NHL veteran is headed home to play in Sweden after signing a contract with his former team in the Swedish Elite League (link in Swedish), MODO.

Pahlsson was a deadline acquisition for the Canucks in a deal with Columbus. Pahlsson had spent the previous two-and-a-half seasons with the Jackets before going to Vancouver. Before that, he was a Stanley Cup winner in 2007 with Anaheim and also spent time briefly with Chicago and Boston. Now after 11 seasons he’s returning to Sweden where he says he’s happy to be back home.

Pahlsson’s defensive play up front and ability to win faceoffs will be missed in the NHL, although not apparently too much by Canucks fans.