When Tanner Pearson got a PTO with the Vegas Golden Knights before the 2024-25 season, expectations weren't high. He came off a middling season with the Montreal Canadiens the year before, scoring five goals and eight assists.
That's not lighting the world on fire any time soon. No, Pearson didn't start the fire, either. It was always burning since the world's been turning.
However, the former first-round pick did catch fire during the preseason, turning that PTO into a one-year, $775,000 deal. On top of that, he finished the season with 12 goals, 15 assists, and some top-line reps with Jack Eichel. How's that for a guy not knowing whether he'd play hockey for the 2024-25 season?
It looks like he's flying under the radar in the free agent market again. As you know (unfortunately), the Golden Knights aren't playing Stanley Cup playoff hockey anymore. What will happen with the former Stanley Cup champion? Will Golden Knights fans see him around on the fourth line again?
Why the Vegas Golden Knights should bring Tanner Pearson back
In a previous post, three names was mentioned regarding a reunion with the Golden Knights. That included Reilly Smith and Brandon Saad, with factors such as the penalty kill and forecheck coming into play. However, Pearson has a valid case to come back himself.
For one, he provides much-needed scoring depth on the lower lines. The Golden Knights lost to the Oilers based on the lack of scoring depth throughout the series. Players like Ivan Barbashev and Tomas Hertl went scoreless, turning into John Cena in the process. Luckily, Pearson has had some successful campaigns, including a Stanley Cup-clinching campaign with four goals and eight assists in 2013-14.
Pearson also brings great hockey sense to Vegas and plays well off the puck. He can sacrifice his body when needed, which is a boon in Bruce Cassidy's system. The former first-round pick had 96 hits and 45 blocked shots in 2024-25, making him a useful fourth-line player.
If Vegas wants to improve its scoring depth, keeping Pearson's veteran presence around is a must. The question is what fans can expect in a new deal. Could he return with more money in his pocket and for how long?
Mapping out a Tanner Pearson contract
If you're expecting a Golden Knights rebound next season, I have some bad news for you. It's unlikely to happen.
Sure, it's one of three options for Kelly McCrimmon to take in the summer. However, there's a good reason why McCrimmon re-signed players like Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb to contract extensions. You wouldn't sign such guys to extensions and trade them a season later, would you?
No competent general manager would do that, meaning smaller signings are on the table. For Pearson, he falls in that category. We're talking about a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. Could he get $2 million or higher? It's a possibility. After all, Keegan Kolesar got a deal for $2.5 million AAV in his newest contract extension.
There are plenty of reasons why McCrimmon should bring back Pearson. He always plays with a chip on his shoulder and provides excellent scoring depth. If you want to set the world on fire, the first step should be getting the Stanley Cup champion back on board.