Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Just before the final horn sounded for the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday at 3 p.m. EST, the Buffalo Sabres were able to swing one more trade to build up its forward depth.
Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen alluded to the move late in his press conference Friday afternoon, but he has traded a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Winnipeg Jets for forward Tanner Pearson.
The 33-year-old is in the middle of his 13th season in the NHL, where his production has dipped a bit playing a more depth role on the Jets roster. In 52 games this season, Pearson has scored seven goals and added six assists for 13 points, while averaging 10:53 of ice-time.
Pearson is a former first-round pick (30th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft of the Los Angeles Kings, where he made an impact almost immediately upon his arrival as a middle-six forward in the lineup. As a rookie, he really helped the Kings in their playoff run with four goals and eight assists for 12 points in 24 games, en route to a Stanley Cup title in 2014.
After parts of six years spent in Los Angeles, Pearson has went on to spend time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights and Jets. In his 774 career games in the NHL, Pearson has scored 157 goals and added 168 assists for 325 points.
Arguably Pearson's best season in the NHL came during his 2019-20 season with the Canucks, where he averaged 16:31 of ice-time and produced 21 goals and added 24 assists for 45 points in 69 games played.
The Sabres completed their trade deadline on Friday by making the following moves:
Acquisitions:
- C - Sam Carrick
- LW - Tanner Pearson
- D - Logan Stanley
- D - Luke Schenn
Departures:
- LW - Isak Rosen
- D - Jacob Bryson
- 2027 second-round pick
- 2026 third-round pick
- 2026 fourth-round pick
- 2026 sixth-round pick (CBJ)
- 2026 seventh-round pick
The 33-year-old is another depth piece added up front for the playoff run
