As the preseason comes to an end, clubs have to make tough decisions regarding their players on Professional Tryout contracts (PTO). The Vancouver Canucks have already made their decision to release Sammy Blais off his PTO and assign him to their AHL affiliate, Abbotsford Canucks.
However, a former Canuck impressed this preseason as Tanner Pearson entered an NHL contract off his PTO with the Vegas Golden Knights. He signed a one-year, $775k deal, according to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.
#VGK announce a one-year deal for veteran forward Tanner Pearson: $775k.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 4, 2024
The best years of Pearson’s career came during his time with the Los Angeles Kings. He spent the first five seasons in LA, scoring 69 goals and 74 assists for 143 points with a plus-43 rating in 308 games. Pearson skated as a member of the “That’s 70’s” line, playing with Tyler Toffoli (#73) and Jeff Carter (#77), with Pearson sporting number 70.
After a slow start, the Kings traded Pearson to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Carl Hagelin. Pearson’s Penguins career was cut short, as in the same season and after just 44 games with the club, he was shipped to the Canucks in exchange for defenceman Erik Gudbranson.
Pearson played five seasons as a member of the Canucks. During his tenure in Vancouver, Pearson scored 55 goals and 59 assists for 114 points with a minus-19 rating in 221 games. The best season of his career was with Vancouver in 2019-2020, where he tallied 21 goals and 45 points alongside former captain Bo Horvat.
The end of Pearson’s time in Vancouver wasn’t pretty. He suffered a wrist injury that was supposed to keep him out for a few weeks, but it later turned into multiple surgeries and a whole season missed for the Ontario native.
In need of a goaltender, the Canucks traded Pearson and a 2025 third-round pick to the Montreal Canadiens for Casey DeSmith, where he suited up in 54 games, boasting five goals and 13 points.
With a strong preseason in Vegas, registering two goals, one assist with a plus-four rating, and seven shots on goal in four games, Pearson looks for a fresh chapter with the Golden Knights ahead of the 2024-25 season.
