Acquisition by the Montreal Canadiens from the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday: Renaud Lavoie suggests the possibility of seeing Tanner Pearson on waivers

PUBLICATION

Dan
September 28, 2023 (9:17)

SHARE THIS STORY

Earlier this month, Kent Hughes settled the goaltending situation by trading Casey DeSmith to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Tanner Pearson and a fifth-round draft pick in 2025.

While the issue in net is now resolved, the Canadiens have added another veteran who will earn $3.25 million in 2023-2024, and one might wonder if Pearson's arrival will impact the development of the organization's young forwards.

However, journalist Renaud Lavoie wanted to set the record straight regarding the possibility that the CH's new forward could hinder a young prospect from securing a spot with the main team.

During his segment on the JiC show on TVA Sports, the reporter was quite clear:

«Tanner Pearson better have a strong training camp. I don't think this guy will stand in the way of the young players' progress. He will have to prove that he deserves a spot in the Canadiens' lineup and that he's ready for this training camp.»

According to Lavoie, the Canadiens' GM won't hesitate to demote the veteran if a younger player has a much better camp than him.

«If there's another player, left or right, who is better than him and we need to put him on waivers, we will.»

Let's just say that's pretty clear!

Pearson will play the last year of his contract this season, and in the best-case scenario, he could be used as trade bait at the trade deadline next March.

In the worst-case scenario, he'll just be passing through Montreal, like many veterans who have joined the Canadiens in recent years.