Tanner Pearson has experience, with 590 NHL games and a Stanley Cup ring with the Los Angeles Kings in 2014. But on the other side of the coin, he also has a shaky hand and a hefty $3.25 million contract this season.
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On this day of medical exams and physicals, Kent Hughes commented on the previous day’s transaction with the Vancouver Canucks. The general manager traded goaltender Casey DeSmith to the Canucks for Pearson and a 2025 third-round pick.
“Tanner is an established hockey player,” Hughes recalls. He won the Stanley Cup, he played for a team in Pittsburgh that had several players with experience. »
“It takes a little gray hair before we can pass on our experiences to our young players,” he continued. Tanner can do it. I don’t know if his physical return will remain a straight path or if there will be obstacles. But we believe he is healthy. »
Photo Martin Chevalier
Martin St-Louis took note of his CEO’s comment about players with gray hair and smiled broadly as he said he ticked that box despite having white hair in his hair.
On a hockey level, not a hair level, St-Louis loved the idea of adding a veteran winger to his team.
“All I know about him is his resume,” the head coach noted. He has proven that he belongs in the NHL. He can play shorthanded and is good near the net. You can trust him on the ice. He has experience. I don’t know him personally yet. But you can’t buy experience. Always good to have more. »
Almost recovered
Pearson has not stepped on NHL ice since November 9, 2022, during a 5-2 loss to the Canadiens at the Bell Centre. After surgery on his left hand and complications from an infection, the Ontario native missed the Canucks’ final 68 games.
However, Hughes wasn’t too afraid of his medical history.
“I can tell you he already had his physical in Vancouver. He’s skating. During the phases of his injured hand he is practically at 80%. Is it 100%? NO. However, he is expected to be ready to play. He will attend the camp. He will arrive in Montreal today. »
In this deal, Hughes acquired a veteran in Pearson, but more importantly, he added another pick to his bench. And he made DeSmith happy by getting him a team for this season in addition to saving his salary ($1.8 million).