Montreal Canadiens: Analyzing What Veteran Laden Third Line Brings To Habs Lineup
![MONTREAL, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 29: Tanner Pearson #70 of the Montreal Canadiens skates during the second period of a pre-season game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre on September 29, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) MONTREAL, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 29: Tanner Pearson #70 of the Montreal Canadiens skates during the second period of a pre-season game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre on September 29, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b7f8b01c745f83938ee6b33edac7e9f5197b438a9c33ae12322a7be6c59c5d73.jpg)
Tanner Pearson
Coming over from the Vancouver Canucks, Tanner Pearson brings a Stanley Cup ring and adds some experience to the young roster. The speedy skater shouldn’t be mistaken for a goalscorer, however, his quick skating and great hockey sense make him a versatile player who has an innate ability to be in the right place at the right time.
He could prove to be an underrated acquisition from the Canucks, whose a consummate professional and leader in the locker room.
He hasn’t managed more than 14 goals in a season since his 21-goal year in 2019-20. So the expectations for him to be a 20-goal producer aren’t exactly there, and that’s okay. That would be an ideal scenario if he can chip in 30-35 points on the third line and contribute to the Habs special teams unit.
The Canadiens are rebuilding, but the team wants to win games, and having the presence in the lineup that comes with the Stanley Cup-winning pedigree can’t be replicated. Pearson has won, and the knowledge gained from doing it will help him have a calming effect to help push the team through the tougher times.
His importance will go far beyond his point totals, but the line he is going to be a part of could be just what he needed to have one of his best seasons production-wise.