Team parts with veteran winger who missed most of last season with serious hand injury
On the eve of training camp, the Vancouver Canucks have parted ways with veteran winger Tanner Pearson sending him and a third round draft pick to Montreal for goaltender Casey DeSmith.
Pearson missed most of last season after complications from surgery following a hand injury suffered in Montreal last November. He had spent the off-season preparing to prove he was completely healthy and was ready to report to Canucks camp in Victoria starting on Thursday. On Monday, the Canucks activated the 31-year-old winger off Long Term Injured Reserve.
Pearson had returned to Vancouver in late August and took part in Troy Stecher's summer pro camp which was the first indication he was ready to resume his career. Most recently, Pearson had been skating with Canuck teammates at the University of British Columbia.
Pearson is entering the final year of a contract that carries a $3.25M cap hit, but is owed $4.25M in salary. The Canucks were required to add a third round draft pick in the deal to make up for the difference in salary between Pearson and DeSmith who is set to begin the final year of his contract worth $1.8M.
In 14 games prior to the injury last season. Pearson struggled with just one goal and five points. He also took eight minor penalties. In Montreal, he will need to prove that he can keep up with the speed of today's NHL.
DeSmith is a 32-year-old Rochester, New Hampshire native who is familar to Canucks management from their time together with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was acquired by Montreal in August as part of a deal that saw Jeff Petry return to Montreal. DeSmith went 15-16-4 in 38 appearances with the Penguins last season carrying a 3.05 GAA and a .905 save percentage.
His addition to the roster adds veteran goaltending insurance, but also clutters the Canucks crease. The team already had Arturs Silovs and Spencer Martin hoping to battle for the back-up job to Thatcher Demko at the NHL level with Zach Sawchenko and Nikita Tolopilo also in the fold.
This trade helps the Canucks get cap compliant for the coming season. By clearing $1.45M, the Canucks are projected to be $2.21M over the NHL salary cap with a full 23-man roster. By placing defenseman Tucker Poolman and his $2.5M salary on LTIR, the club will be compliant for opening night.