Tanner Pearson

Following up a 21-goal, 45-point performance in 2019-20, Pearson posted his worst offensive campaign since his second year in the NHL in 2020-21. He scored 10 goals and 18 points in 51 games despite averaging a career-high 17:04 of ice time per contest. He laid out 54 hits while shooting 9.1 percent, his lowest mark since the 2017-18 season. Entering the 2021-22 campaign, Pearson could be relegated to a smaller role at even strength and on the power play, limiting his fantasy potential.

Pearson notched a career-best 45 points (21 goals, 24 assists) and added 96 hits and 164 shots on goal in 69 appearances last year. With the Canucks, Pearson is almost guaranteed a top-six role, although that will typically come on the second line as J.T. Miller holds down the top-line gig. Pearson's always had a decent goal-scoring reputation, even as a depth player when he broke in with the Kings. He will likely see most of his even-strength time on Bo Horvat's line, and he's also a candidate for time on the second power-play unit. He should be capable of a 45-to-50-point pace and decent production across non-scoring categories.

Pearson wore three different jerseys last season, starting the year in L.A. before being traded to Pittsburgh. After appearing in 44 games with the Penguins, Pearson was traded to Vancouver, where he finished the season with 12 points in 19 games. He spent most of his time on Vancouver's top line and could very well begin 2019-20 alongside Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser yet again. If Pearson breaks camp on the top line, he will be worth keeping tabs on come draft night. At just 26 years old, time remains on Pearson's side, and the left winger, with the right linemates and some luck, could easily return to his typical 40 to 50-point output next season.

At 25 years old, the time has come for Pearson to step up and develop into a true top-six forward. However, that was supposed to be the case last year, and it didn't happen. While 15 goals and 25 helpers isn't a bad campaign, it's not the type of numbers that many were expecting for Pearson a year ago. As such, it's difficult to trust him to take that long-awaited next step. He's a name to monitor as a waiver-wire pickup in case the breakout comes this year, but on draft day, you can probably pass.

It was a career year across the board for Pearson in 2016-17, and most encouraging in fantasy settings was his climb to 2:24 of power-play time per game. The 24-year-old winger only collected eight points with the man advantage, but that also doubled his 2015-16 production. His in-game intelligence likely trumps his physical skills, but Pearson is an excellent complement to both playmakers and shoot-first scorers. Entering his age-25 campaign this season, and with an offensive role locked up, Pearson has the potential to take another step forward.

Pearson’s first full NHL season was a successful one in that he stayed largely healthy while increasing his scoring rate, setting new career marks with 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points, As he enters his age-24 season, though, the Kings and fantasy owners are looking for Pearson to settle in as a legitimate second-line left wing. It’s a tough task for him to replace both the toughness and the offense of his predecessor, Milan Lucic, but that’s just what the Kings need from him. No pressure. As a 2012 first-round pick, he certainly has the pedigree to deliver on that promise, but at the very minimum, Pearson’s one of the league’s better grinders who does the dirty work in front of the net and has real finishing ability. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him boost his point total into the 40s with a nice complement of hits and plus-minus.

Pearson, a first-round pick of the Kings in 2012, looked primed to fill a larger role heading into last season following his postseason breakout during the Kings' run to the Stanley Cup the previous year. In just 42 games, the winger got off to a great start with 12 goals, four assists, and a plus-14 rating that was good for second on the team. However, his season ended up being cut short due to a broken leg suffered in January, stalling his development progress. Pearson should be fully healed by the time the 2015-16 campaign kicks off, and figures to land a spot on the club's second or third line. Even in his light ice time (13:18 average TOI) last season, the 24-year-old showed he could be an effective sniper, converting on 17.6 percent of his shots. Expect Pearson's duties to be limited early on as he eases back into action following the serious injury, but before long, he could emerge as a contributor to fantasy teams in all formats.

Pearson opened eyes at AHL Manchester (17 goals and 32 points in 41 games) to earn a call-up with the Kings. He wasn't a huge factor in the regular season with just seven points in 25 games, but took his game up a notch in the playoffs to deliver 12 points in 24 games. He really seemed to click with linemates Tyler Toffoli and Jeff Carter during the postseason, so expect them to skate together again. Such an arrangement could boost the numbers for all three players.

Pearson jumped straight from the 2012 draft to the AHL and had a very nice debut (19 goals, 28 assists in 64 games) at Manchester. He spent time on the team's top line and power play, as well as killing penalties, and may give the organization some top-six potential at the left wing spot. He'll most certainly get more time to round out his game at the AHL again this season.

Pearson was a late-bloomer after getting bypassed in his first two years of draft eligiblity, but exploded last season with 91 points (37 G, 54 A) in 60 games in the OHL, earning him a first-round selection by the Kings in the 2012 Entry Draft. He'll likely head to the AHL to prove that last year's outburst wasn't a fluke.