Canucks: Tanner Pearson traded to Montreal, veteran goalie Casey DeSmith in return

Posted on September 19, 2023

Tanner Pearson never got to make his comeback to the Vancouver Canucks.

Instead of proving he could play again, a season after he suffered a devastating hand infection, the veteran winger has been traded to the Montreal Canadiens.

Carson Soucy and Tanner Pearson dropped the gloves during a spirited Jan.1, 2022 contest in Seattle. Photo by Stephen Brashear /USA TODAY Sports

According to reports, the Canucks are also trading a third round pick to Montreal and will receive veteran goalie Casey DeSmith in return.

Oddly enough, Montreal was the last opponent Pearson faced as a member of the Canucks: he broke his hand in a road game versus Montreal last Nov. 9.

He then had surgery and was expected to recover within a few weeks but instead developed a post-operative infection that required at least a half-dozen further surgeries and him receiving 24/7 doses of antibiotics to the infected area.

Tanner Pearson
Vancouver Canucks left-winger Tanner Pearson, who broke his hand during a game last November, stands to leave after the NHL hockey team’s end of season news conference, in Vancouver, on Saturday, April 15, 2023. Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS

The Canucks announced in January his situation was too serious to contemplate him returning for the 2022-23 season. He appeared at the team’s post-season media availability with his left hand still heavily bandaged.