Article - Canucks’ Pearson on pace for career year thanks to remarkable turnaround

[BrockBoester]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/canucks-pearson-pace-career-year-thanks-remarkable-turnaround/

 

Quote

VANCOUVER – If you had three guesses to name the Vancouver Canucks‘ leading scorer the last eight weeks, you would probably strike out because even Tanner Pearson wouldn’t guess Tanner Pearson.

 

Elias Pettersson is going to the NHL All-Star Game, J.T. Miller has been a revelation on the West Coast and Brock Boeser is quietly constructing another excellent season.

 

But nobody on the Canucks’ 6-40-9 Lotto Line has cashed in as much as Pearson has over the last 23 games, when the 27-year-old has amassed 10 goals and 24 points while continuing to play a two-way game that frequently sees him matched alongside centre Bo Horvat against the opposition’s best forwards.

 

Pettersson has 23 points, including 13 goals, over this period and Miller and Boeser each has 21 points in Vancouver’s last 23 games, so the internal scoring race is close.

 

But what makes Pearson’s production especially remarkable is that the winger, who was traded by both the Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins last season, is suddenly on pace for a career year after enduring a 14-game goal drought that saw him collect just two assists from mid-October until mid-November.

 

After he went pointless on five shots in a 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 10, Pearson told Sportsnet: "I’m here to help the team win… and I’m not carrying my weight right now. I’m trying not to get frustrated but, at the same time, there’s a tipping point for everything."

Well, things have tipped alright.

 

Pearson had a goal and two assists in the Canucks’ 7-5 win Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. It was his second straight three-point game, and Vancouver’s sixth consecutive victory.

 

Pearson, who learned his 200-foot game under former L.A. coach Darryl Sutter and won a Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2014, is on pace to shatter his previous-best of 44 points set during the 2016-17 season.

 

With 12 goals and 18 assists through 41 games, Pearson projects to tie his career-high of 24 goals. For the season, he is fifth on the Canucks in scoring and Vancouver is one of only two Western Conference teams with five forwards at 30 points or better. The Vegas Golden Knights are the other.

 

"Last year, frustration set in for sure," Pearson said. "Even if you look at my 14-game goal-less streak this year, frustration could have crept in really easily there. But I was still getting my looks. I was an inch off on a shot or I hit a post. Eventually they were going to go in, and once one did, they kind of kept going in.

 

"I think after last year, it’s been a bit easier not to get frustrated. I think I’ve learned to stick with it. When things aren’t going your way, eventually they should if you just put your nose to the ground and keep working. I think that’s what I took most out of last year."

 

A 2012 first-round draft pick from Barrie of the Ontario Hockey League, Pearson spent six years in the Kings organization before L.A. traded him to Pittsburgh for Carl Hagelin last Nov. 14. Only 3 ½ months later, the Penguins forwarded him to the Canucks for Erik Gudbranson on Feb. 25.

Both Hagelin and Gudbranson have since changed teams again.

 

The Canucks are keeping Pearson.

 

"He’s just a good all-around player who does a lot of grunt work that goes unnoticed," Canucks coach Travis Green said. "He has won. He knows what it takes to win and he knows the areas that are important on the ice. He’s a good example for guys that play a 200-foot game and can still score, still get points

 

Vancouver looks like a turning point for Pearson, who had nine goals in 19 games playing with Horvat at the end of last season.

 

Green helped rebuild Pearson’s confidence.

 

"Our first meeting, he said: ‘Come here and work. I don’t really care about the rest of it,’" Pearson recalled. "That was encouraging because I didn’t have to worry about putting up points. Then with hard work, the puck started going in and I finished the year strong. He had confidence in me."

Green explained: "When things haven’t gone well for a player where it has gone well before, they can get inside their own head a little bit. There’s something to be said, I think, for feeling like the coach believes in you or the team does."

 

At six-foot-one and 201 pounds – and with a Stanley Cup ring, which are scarce in the Vancouver dressing room – Pearson is built for playoff hockey. Actually, he’s built for any hockey, but could be even more important to the Canucks in the second half of the season.

 

"The way I grew up in this league, if you were getting points but not doing your duty in your own end, you weren’t going to play no matter how many points you put up," Pearson said. "I think for me, taking care of those things in D-zone coverage, making plays on the wall and being hard on the forecheck and that kind of stuff, that’s where I find my game. And the (scoring) kind of takes care of itself."

 

The Canucks can match their longest winning streak in nine years when the New York Rangers visit Rogers Arena on Saturday.

Interesting (and quite lengthy read) about the fruits of the Gudbranson trade. Looks like GMJB won another trade there, eh?

 

 

 

 

Edited January 4, 2020 by BrockBoester

[ruilin96]

Gudbranson for Pearson is the biggest steal of a trade JB has made in his tenure as a Canucks GM.

[Nuxfanabroad]

Nice bonus..considering this exp'd asset can be traced back to malcontent, Mr not hip Kesler.

[BrockBoester]

1 minute ago, ruilin96 said:

Gudbranson for Pearson is the biggest steal of a trade JB has made in his tenure as a Canucks GM.

Miller was a pretty good steal too but when you compare the value of what we gave up in both trades I'd have to agree.

 

Neither is exactly Naslund for Stojanov but hey you work with what you're given

[48MPHSlapShot]

We shouldn't have been able to get a handful of magic beans for Gudbranson, and we somehow ended up with a Stanley Cup winning winger that can play both special teams and is on pace for 60 points. 

 

Interesting that Gudbranson is involved with both Benning's best and worst trades made during his tenure. 

[wildcam]

1 hour ago, ruilin96 said:

Gudbranson for Pearson is the biggest steal of a trade JB has made in his tenure as a Canucks GM.

The Miller trade was another great trade...

[ForestFalcon]

I was actually really stunned to hear that Canucks had gotten a player like Pearson for Gudbranson. I hadn't really followed his path since the last Kings championship too much, but I'd kind of always though that 70s line with him, Toffoli and Carter was going to be a force for some time to come. I hadn't realized how much he'd fallen off last year, and am still surprised his stock had dropped so low. He kind of had a similar slump to last year earlier this season, but it would seem having a coach who has confidence in him has helped him push through and become a good second line winger for us. With any luck, he's going to reach his peak with us. Our team really seems to be rounding the corner and showing a lot of promise.

Edited January 4, 2020 by ForestFalcon

[Rabbit]

Benning won the JT Miller trade, but compared with Pearson trade, BN won much.

The cost of Miller includes a first round pick which is huge cost because of the draft history of BN.

The cost of Pearson is Gudbranson whom I see there is BN's previous trade loss. Now BN turns his trade loss to a win.

 

It is concluded that BN has improved his trading performance.

 

[canucklehead44]

TOP 5 BEST TRADES

- Gudbranson for Pearson

- 1st for Miller
- Kesler for Bonino / 1st / Sbisa
- Carcone for Leivo
TIE #5 Jason Garison for a 2nd and Bieksa for a 2nd

HM: Vanek for Motte, Baertschi for a 2nd, Shinkaruk for Granlund

TOP 5 WORST TRADES
- McCann + 2nd for Gudbranson
- Kassian + 5th for Prust
- 2nd for Vey
- Bonino + Clendening + 2nd for Sutter + 3rd

HM: 3rd for Pedan which then lead to a 4th + Pedan for Pouliot,  Forsling for Clendening

Within a 7 month span Benning #1, #2, and #4 best trades - he really turned things around. Actually most of the trades after the McCann trade have all been pretty good. Also his signings this season were pretty decent, despite the injury to Ferland. Myers has held his end of the bargain up, leading all Canucks in time on ice and looking at least half decent in a top 4 role.  

Before that he had a pretty ugly streak. Larsen, Etem, Sutter, Prust all ended up being poor trades. Shinkaruk for Granlund turned out alright although Granlund became the face of mediocrity for the team. He traded away four picks and downgraded (swapped for lower picks) on two more. Given where we were in our rebuild that is pretty brutal.

 

What made the first Gudbranson deal even worse is he followed it up with the Loui Eriksson and drafting of Juolevi over Tkachuk. 
 

[theo5789]

2 hours ago, ruilin96 said:

Gudbranson for Pearson is the biggest steal of a trade JB has made in his tenure as a Canucks GM.

Never forget the Forsling for Clendening trade. That will always be Benning's legacy.

[YEGCanuck]

I'm thinking the Canucks have won the balance of trades with the Penguins.

[spur1]

1 hour ago, canucklehead44 said:

TOP 5 BEST TRADES

- Gudbranson for Pearson

- 1st for Miller
- Kesler for Bonino / 1st / Sbisa
- Carcone for Leivo
TIE #5 Jason Garison for a 2nd and Bieksa for a 2nd

HM: Vanek for Motte, Baertschi for a 2nd, Shinkaruk for Granlund

TOP 5 WORST TRADES
- McCann + 2nd for Gudbranson
- Kassian + 5th for Prust
- 2nd for Vey
- Bonino + Clendening + 2nd for Sutter + 3rd

HM: 3rd for Pedan which then lead to a 4th + Pedan for Pouliot,  Forsling for Clendening

Within a 7 month span Benning #1, #2, and #4 best trades - he really turned things around. Actually most of the trades after the McCann trade have all been pretty good. Also his signings this season were pretty decent, despite the injury to Ferland. Myers has held his end of the bargain up, leading all Canucks in time on ice and looking at least half decent in a top 4 role.  

Before that he had a pretty ugly streak. Larsen, Etem, Sutter, Prust all ended up being poor trades. Shinkaruk for Granlund turned out alright although Granlund became the face of mediocrity for the team. He traded away four picks and downgraded (swapped for lower picks) on two more. Given where we were in our rebuild that is pretty brutal.

 

What made the first Gudbranson deal even worse is he followed it up with the Loui Eriksson and drafting of Juolevi over Tkachuk. 
 

I disagree on Tkachuk. That piece of work would be like having another Kesler or Messier POS on the team again. 

[AK_19]

2 hours ago, canucklehead44 said:

TOP 5 BEST TRADES

- Gudbranson for Pearson

- 1st for Miller
- Kesler for Bonino / 1st / Sbisa
- Carcone for Leivo
TIE #5 Jason Garison for a 2nd and Bieksa for a 2nd

HM: Vanek for Motte, Baertschi for a 2nd, Shinkaruk for Granlund

TOP 5 WORST TRADES
- McCann + 2nd for Gudbranson
- Kassian + 5th for Prust
- 2nd for Vey
- Bonino + Clendening + 2nd for Sutter + 3rd

HM: 3rd for Pedan which then lead to a 4th + Pedan for Pouliot,  Forsling for Clendening

Within a 7 month span Benning #1, #2, and #4 best trades - he really turned things around. Actually most of the trades after the McCann trade have all been pretty good. Also his signings this season were pretty decent, despite the injury to Ferland. Myers has held his end of the bargain up, leading all Canucks in time on ice and looking at least half decent in a top 4 role.  

Before that he had a pretty ugly streak. Larsen, Etem, Sutter, Prust all ended up being poor trades. Shinkaruk for Granlund turned out alright although Granlund became the face of mediocrity for the team. He traded away four picks and downgraded (swapped for lower picks) on two more. Given where we were in our rebuild that is pretty brutal.

 

What made the first Gudbranson deal even worse is he followed it up with the Loui Eriksson and drafting of Juolevi over Tkachuk. 
 

Not sure why Baertschi for a 2nd is heralded here as a good trade (especially considering who Calgary picked up). He's taking up 3+ million in cap space while in the AHL. Other than that, I definitely agree.  

[theo5789]

3 hours ago, canucklehead44 said:

TOP 5 BEST TRADES

- Gudbranson for Pearson

- 1st for Miller
- Kesler for Bonino / 1st / Sbisa
- Carcone for Leivo
TIE #5 Jason Garison for a 2nd and Bieksa for a 2nd

HM: Vanek for Motte, Baertschi for a 2nd, Shinkaruk for Granlund

TOP 5 WORST TRADES
- McCann + 2nd for Gudbranson
- Kassian + 5th for Prust
- 2nd for Vey
- Bonino + Clendening + 2nd for Sutter + 3rd

HM: 3rd for Pedan which then lead to a 4th + Pedan for Pouliot,  Forsling for Clendening

Within a 7 month span Benning #1, #2, and #4 best trades - he really turned things around. Actually most of the trades after the McCann trade have all been pretty good. Also his signings this season were pretty decent, despite the injury to Ferland. Myers has held his end of the bargain up, leading all Canucks in time on ice and looking at least half decent in a top 4 role.  

Before that he had a pretty ugly streak. Larsen, Etem, Sutter, Prust all ended up being poor trades. Shinkaruk for Granlund turned out alright although Granlund became the face of mediocrity for the team. He traded away four picks and downgraded (swapped for lower picks) on two more. Given where we were in our rebuild that is pretty brutal.

 

What made the first Gudbranson deal even worse is he followed it up with the Loui Eriksson and drafting of Juolevi over Tkachuk. 
 

Don't forget the Diaz trade to NYR for their 5th which we used to draft Gaudette. The Hansen and Burrows trades looked like huge wins at the time of the deals and at worst we moved two potential expansion pieces for assets that could be protected (and we got Burrows an extension which ended up as a nice little retirement gift). We also got picks for Eddie Lack who became a dud real quick after the trade (which would be equivalent to some of our "worst" trades).

 

I believe while we did trade away picks, we also acquired picks and in the end we drafted a full allotment of picks over Benning's tenure. We may have given up some high picks, but Benning has more than made up for them with his draft record in the later rounds to make up for it. Cashing in on later picks is just as good IMO considering the odds of the picks anyway.

 

McCann might be only real NHL player that could've helped us and I have my doubts on him really wanting to be here. Kassian was never going to be a player for us. All the other "worst" trades had very little effect on us in the end.

Edited January 4, 2020 by theo5789

[J.I.A.H.N]

2 hours ago, theo5789 said:

Never forget the Forsling for Clendening trade. That will always be Benning's legacy.

Who is Gustav Forsling? What team does he play for?

[iceman64]

6 hours ago, ruilin96 said:

Gudbranson for Pearson is the biggest steal of a trade JB has made in his tenure as a Canucks GM.

No, close but no, JT Miller.. for an average goalie and a conditional pick, that may or not ever make the nhl. not only can JT score highlight reel goals, the timing of some of them has won us games and he's capable of playing on any line, not just top line and one dimensional.. JB pulled one out of his *** on that and everyone thought we over paid.. that was hilarious.. larceny to the 10th degree... and it was a mute pick anyway since JB did it again on Podz, who is worth the wait and will be a big part of this team in 2 years when we need ELC's to help with salary cap juggling which teams have to do anyway but add even Hogs on top of that.. 

 Going to have a pretty kick ass team if JB keeps it up.. thankfully in the last few years he's learned what we're going to need more than ever as we hone it a fast skilled tough team that's the only recipe for winning a cup.. 

[ruilin96]

47 minutes ago, iceman64 said:

No, close but no, JT Miller.. for an average goalie and a conditional pick, that may or not ever make the nhl. not only can JT score highlight reel goals, the timing of some of them has won us games and he's capable of playing on any line, not just top line and one dimensional.. JB pulled one out of his *** on that and everyone thought we over paid.. that was hilarious.. larceny to the 10th degree... and it was a mute pick anyway since JB did it again on Podz, who is worth the wait and will be a big part of this team in 2 years when we need ELC's to help with salary cap juggling which teams have to do anyway but add even Hogs on top of that.. 

 Going to have a pretty kick ass team if JB keeps it up.. thankfully in the last few years he's learned what we're going to need more than ever as we hone it a fast skilled tough team that's the only recipe for winning a cup.. 

JT Miller trade to me is still a win-win situation. Tampa Bay got to free up the cap space to resign Point and got 2 draft picks (1st round and 3rd round). Canucks got a very good top 6 scorer who is arguably the MVP of this team. This trade isn’t completed because we don’t know who that 1st round pick will be. Tampa with an extra 1st round pick in the draft could mean they can move a first for assets to add to their playoff run. Overall, I think it’s a good trade for both teams.

 

The Gudbranson for Pearson trade is wizardry. We moved out a player with a big cap bit who is struggling; in most cases, moving a player with a high cap hit (with terms left as well) and poor performance often results in giving up assets or retaining salary. Bending didnt had to retain any salary or give up any asset. Not only that, but the player we got in return is scoring at 60 point rate and is a top 6 scoring winger. That’s turning a piece of rock into a piece of gold.

 

Penguins ended up moving Gudbranson and got back virtually nothing in return. 

[riffraff]

3 hours ago, spur1 said:

I disagree on Tkachuk. That piece of work would be like having another Kesler or Messier POS on the team again. 

Tkachuk roussel virtanen 

[Junkyard Dog]

1 hour ago, riffraff said:

Tkachuk roussel virtanen 

We probably miss out on Petey and Hughes though if we had Tkachuk in 2016.

[canucklehead44]

5 hours ago, AK_19 said:

Not sure why Baertschi for a 2nd is heralded here as a good trade (especially considering who Calgary picked up). He's taking up 3+ million in cap space while in the AHL. Other than that, I definitely agree.  

Baer was a solid second line player for us. Nobody complained when he signed that contract, and last year while healthy he was scoring at close to a 30 goal pace. The fan base was shocked when he got cut - even today JD Burke listed about 5 or 6 forwards on the roster who are not as good as Baertschi.

He has had a good attitude as well, going down to the AHL and tearing it up with 31 points in 23 games. I am surprised nobody picked him up, but it could also be because of the red flags around his health, lack of cap space around the league, and the extra year on his contract.