Canucks get huge blow as they lose their best trade chip at the worst time

This is a tough blow for the Vancouver Canucks. Head coach Travis Green told reporters Friday that Pearson will miss at least four weeks with a lower-body injury.

The timing is just the worse seeing most insider expected the forward to be the Canucks’ best trade chip ahead of the deadline. However now, Pearson is likely to be out through the April 12 trade deadline.

Pearson got injured late in Wednesday’s shootout victory over the Ottawa Senators. He is a pending unrestricted free agent, carrying a cap hit of $3.75 million.

He’s moved around quite a bit in the past seasons, from the Los Angeles Kings to the Pittsburgh Penguins to finally be acquired by the Canucks in a February 2019 trade. 

Pearson has put up six goals and 11 points in 33 games this season after posting 21 goals and a career-high 45 points in 69 games with the Canucks last year. 

He would have been a great asset for the Canucks to use, however now, his value is down the drain with this long-term injury.