Vancouver Canucks left winger Tanner Pearson will not return this season due to his hand injury, the Canucks’ General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today.
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that F Tanner Pearson underwent a second hand surgery yesterday after a setback in his recovery, and he will miss the remainder of the 2022.23 season.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 12, 2023
The injury originally occurred on Nov. 9 against the Montreal Canadiens. He had surgery the next day and was initially projected to be out for 4-6 weeks. The Canucks placed him on injured reserve the same day.
Tanner Pearson Out For This Year
Pearson had a second surgery on Jan. 11 following an undisclosed setback in the recovery process. According to the Canucks’ injury report, Pearson is the only injured forward at this time.
Pearson, 30, played in 14 games before his injury and recorded one goal and five total points. In parts of five seasons with the Canucks, he has 55 goals and 59 points. He was most productive for the team in the 2019-20 season when he set a career-high 45 points in 69 games.
The Canucks acquired Pearson from the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019 in exchange for Erik Gudbranson. He signed an extension with Vancouver before the 2021 season. That current contract lasts until the end of next season. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings as the 30th pick in the 2012 draft.
What This Means for Vancouver
The Canucks are 26th in League standings before their upcoming game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. With the team already the subject of major trade speculation, Pearson coming off the table could impact who the Canucks move, and who they try to acquire. He is also the Canucks’ oldest forward and fourth-oldest player on the team’s roster. Even if he stays put, his absence will give the Canucks a chance to look at a crop of players with fresher faces.
