General manager provides first good news in months on ailing winger

Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin had positive news to report on Tanner Pearson on Wednesday. In a wide ranging media availability at Rogers Arena, Allvin said the word he's getting on Pearson indicates progress in the recovery from multiple hand surgeries that had threatened the left winger's playing career.

"The indication that I have got is that his hand is healing," Allvin said. "He's preparing himself to be ready for training camp."

This is the first positive development on Pearson's unfortunate situation since the saga began with a broken hand during a game in Montreal last November. Since then, Pearson has required multiple procedures and has endured several setbacks including an infection that threatened to derail his playing days.

It's still three months until the Canucks hit the ice for training camp in Victoria so plenty can change in that time. But today's report sounds encouraging for the 30-year-old winger who has one year remaining on a contract that carries a $3.25 million cap hit and $4.25 million in cash owed.

Last season Pearson was limited to just 14 games and managed to score just one goal. The season before that, however, Pearson scored 14 times in 68 games as a was solid two-way contributor.