The Vegas Golden Knights have secured Tanner Pearson, a left winger with 11 seasons of NHL experience, on a one-year contract for $775,000. Pearson initially joined the Golden Knights for training camp on a professional tryout agreement (PTO). The 32-year-old forward quickly demonstrated his value, recording three points in four preseason games, leading to this new deal.
Pearson’s NHL Journey and Career Highlights
Pearson began his NHL career with the Los Angeles Kings, who drafted him 30th overall in 2012. He quickly became a key player for the Kings, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2014. Throughout his time in Los Angeles, Pearson consistently contributed to the team’s success, notching a career-high 24 goals in the 2016-2017 season.
After five productive years with the Kings, Pearson’s career journey took him to the Pittsburgh Penguins and then to the Vancouver Canucks, where he achieved his career-high of 45 points in 2019-2020. Known for his offensive abilities, he proved to be a valuable scorer, especially during the shortened 2019-2020 season when he contributed 21 goals for the Canucks. Injuries, however, affected his tenure in Vancouver, with wrist issues limiting his playtime in recent seasons.
In the 2023-2024 season, Pearson played 54 games with the Montreal Canadiens, scoring five goals and eight assists. His injury woes impacted his output, but he still showcased his two-way play and depth scoring ability, which has become his calling card over the years.
Pearson’s Role and Fit within the Golden Knights
Pearson joins the Golden Knights as a seasoned forward who can bring depth to their bottom-six lineup. Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon highlighted the importance of adding experienced players to supplement the team’s existing talent, particularly with cap constraints influencing roster construction. With Pearson’s experience, the Knights are looking to leverage his reliable scoring ability and versatility on the wing.
While Pearson is not expected to play top-line minutes, he’s anticipated to provide offensive support and bring a veteran presence, which is valuable for any team with postseason aspirations. The Golden Knights’ management likely sees Pearson as a player who can contribute to their physical style of play while adding a layer of scoring potential to the bottom six.
What This Means for Vegas’ Season Ahead
Vegas won their first Stanley Cup in 2023, and they’re aiming to build on that momentum. By signing Pearson, the team adds a player who understands the rigors of playoff hockey, which is crucial for any team with championship ambitions. His presence also alleviates some of the pressure on younger forwards, providing guidance as the team works through the long and challenging NHL season.
Vegas Golden Knights fans can follow all team updates on the official Golden Knights website.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on the available data and current events around the time of publication, to the best of our staff research and knowledge. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as professional advice, financial advice, sports betting advice, or life advice. It is simply our best guess, something to add to your research. We at Las Vegas Top Picks do our best to get stories accurate, but sometimes mistakes and biases happen, and it is always good to double-check other sources and media outlets to confirm stories and the factual details. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the overall opinion of Las Vegas Top Picks.
