BREAKING: Canadiens have opted not to re-sign 2014 Stanley Cup champion key man for Fourth Period reports.
Tanner Pearson is set to hit the market in July, as the Canadiens have decided not to re-sign the 2014 Stanley Cup champion, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.
At 31, Pearson will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, having previously changed teams only through trades during his 11-year NHL tenure.
Pearson has faced significant challenges over the past two seasons, missing considerable time due to injuries. In the 2022-23 season with the Canucks, he underwent multiple hand surgeries and was limited to just one goal in 14 games.
His prolonged stint on long-term injured reserve led to comments from then-teammate Quinn Hughes about the team’s mishandling of his injury, which briefly attracted NHLPA attention.
Cleared to play by last September’s training camp, Pearson was traded by the Canucks to the Canadiens due to a cap crunch, along with a 2025 third-round pick, in exchange for backup goalie Casey DeSmith.
With a $3.25 million cap hit this season, Pearson managed five goals, eight assists, and 13 points with a -12 rating in 54 games for the Canadiens.
Although there was some trade deadline interest, none of the offers were strong enough for general manager Kent Hughes to make a move, leaving Pearson to become a free agent after averaging 12:56 minutes per game, his lowest since his rookie season with the Kings.
Drafted by Los Angeles in the first round in 2012, Pearson has tallied 138 goals and 285 points in 644 career games for the Canadiens, Canucks, Kings, and Penguins.
Pagnotta describes him as “a quality mid-six add for a contender,” but Pearson is likely to start as a fourth-liner or extra forward next season due to his recent struggles on a rebuilding team. His 0.24 points per game this season ranked 316th out of 368 forwards who played more than 50 games.
Pearson’s next contract is expected to be modest, given his recent performance, with Evolving Hockey projecting a one-year, $1 million deal. He did manage 14 goals and 34 points in 68 games for the Canucks two years ago before his hand injuries began.