Advertisement 1

Ben Kuzma: Pearson knows his place, Fantenberg finally gets the call

Pearson went 14 games this season without a goal and even labels himself a “streaky scorer.”

Get the latest from Ben Kuzma straight to your inbox

Article content

Tanner Pearson is a coach’s dream.

Advertisement 2
Story continues below
Article content

“Everyone wants to score, but you want to help wherever you can,” said the Vancouver Canucks’ winger. “If it means the PK and blocking shots and doing the dirty work — so be it.”

That pledge was delivered before Pearson popped a pair of goals and had his first career four-point game Saturday — increasing his season output to 17 points (7-10) — in a much-needed 5-2 win at Edmonton as the Canucks ended a gruelling six-game road trip with an admirable 3-3 record.

Article content

Pearson went 14 games this season without a goal and even labels himself a “streaky scorer.” But he’s also something else. He will do the grunt work. And that willingness paid off in combining with linemate Bo Horvat for seven points Saturday while also helping to shut down Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl — the league’s top two scorers — because that was of paramount importance. 

Article content
Advertisement 3
Story continues below
Article content

Pearson and Horvat had a strong net presence, combined for eight shots and set up linemate Loui Eriksson for his first goal of the season. And even before the offensive outburst there was a lot to like about how Pearson could move up and down the lineup as the club searched for goals.

And for all the right wingers Horvat has already had this season — J.T. Miller, Jake Virtanen, Brock Boeser, Josh Leivo, Zack MacEwen and Eriksson — the left side should be set. Pearson and Horvat simply bring out the best in each other.

“They have success in the past for sure,” Canucks coach Travis Green said in a pre-game availability session before Sunday’s rematch with the Oilers. “And with trying to find scoring, I’ve split them up at times and maybe because he (Pearson) didn’t have the production, that didn’t mean I didn’t like his game. 

Advertisement 4
Story continues below
Article content

“And I think a game like last night (Saturday) can bring out the best in someone when you put a line back together and they know what their purpose is. It’s an old cliche, but when you’re worried about playing good defence, sometimes there’s offence that comes from it and that (Edmonton) was a good example.”

So is understanding the business.

Pearson knew there would be no red-carpet welcome or video tribute when he returned to Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Forty-four games and frequent scratches and an injury aren’t exactly bobble-head-worthy numbers.

However, the fact that Pearson scored three goals in his first six games there piqued the curiosity here. He was on the move again at the trade deadline for Erik Gudbranson. And while it took Pearson time to find his footing with the Canucks, a spurt of seven goals in the final nine games last season was encouraging.

Advertisement 5
Story continues below
Article content

So was the manner in which he handled playing for three teams in one season.

“There was so much talk in L.A. with how the team was going and things were going to happen and I was one of the changes,” recalled the 27-year-old Pearson. “Pittsburgh was kind of the same way and then I ran into an injury and wasn’t able to play the same way. It started well and trickled down.

“I got a place in a week when I went there. Three months later I was gone.”

Edler on mend, Fantenberg on ice

Oscar Fantenberg made his regular-season debut Sunday out of necessity.

With a back end that has miraculously dodged missing an entire game this season due to a significant ailment — Chris Tanev and Alex Edler have checked out early and returned the next game — a heavy collision between Edler and Zack Kassian on Saturday in Edmonton was thought to sideline Edler in the second period.

Advertisement 6
Story continues below
Article content

It kept Edler out Sunday and possibly longer.

“No real update, except that he’s out,” said Green. “He’ll see our doctors and be re-evaluated tomorrow (Monday) and he won’t play on Tuesday either.”

As for Fantenberg, the 28-year-old free agent acquisition has had to play the patience card before logging his 89th career game Sunday.

He split last season between Los Angeles and Calgary, and finished with four points in 61 games and took 13 career points (4-9) into Sunday’s meeting. The 6-foot, 203 pound, left shot blueliner arrived in the NHL on a one-year, entry level deal of US$925,000, but took a minimum salary last season to stay with the Kings.

In L.A., he was used in a limited role and played more when Jake Muzzin was dealt to Toronto. He was mostly with Dion Phaneuf in a third pairing and saw some time with Alec Martinez in a second pairing. Fantenberg was then dealt to the Flames at the trade deadline for a fourth-round pick.

Green said he always liked Fantenberg and that’s based on reputation, video and practices.

“The work ethic he has put in to keep himself sharp and ready to go has been second-to-none,” said Green. “We’ve got six guys I like and kind of trust and know and haven’t really given us a reason to pull them out of the lineup. 

“I respect the fact that he wants to play badly. And sometimes that’s hard for players and he has been a good pro about it.”

bkuzma@postmedia.com

twitter.com/@benkuzma

Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Join the Conversation

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Latest National Stories
    This Week in Flyers