Frozen Pool Forensics: Tanner Pearson

Anthony Lancione

2014-10-20

TannerPearson

 

Going deep – an in-depth look at Kings’ rookie Tanner Pearson….

 

 

(editor’s note – this column was submitted Thursday night, but was delayed getting published due to a mix-up)

 

The Los Angeles Kings' youngster, 22-year-old Tanner Pearson is of extremely rare company; being amongst those who've earned a Stanley Cup Ring before their Calder Trophy eligibility expired.Now this certainly throws a wrinkle into my Rookie-of-the-Year considerations, as Pearson has an edge on some of the more sexy choices for the 2014-15 trophy. Although names like Jonathan Drouin, John Gibson or even Johnny Gaudreau have stolen much of the thunder in Calder discussions all over the hockey world heading into this season, neither of them have done a lick just yet.

6.01%

EV

70 PEARSON,TANNER – 28 STOLL,JARRET – 73 TOFFOLI,TYLER

4.55%

EV

23 BROWN,DUSTIN – 70 PEARSON,TANNER – 28 STOLL,JARRET

2.49%

EV

11 KOPITAR,ANZE – 70 PEARSON,TANNER – 73 TOFFOLI,TYLER

 

As you can see, Pearson received elevated ice time alongside Jeff Carter and fellow rookie Tyler Toffoli to the tune of 55.35% of the time, up from only 18.86% on the regular season. However, even that second figure was already skewed toward the trends from the end of the regular season, as the trio had already begun to play regularly before round one began. As a result, Pearson nearly doubled his regular season output through the first three rounds of the playoffs, before being sheltered during the cup finals due to his lack of experience.

2014-2015 Playoffs – Tanner Pearson Most Common Linemates

 

Frequency

Strength

Line Combination

77.27%

EV

77 CARTER,JEFF – 70 PEARSON,TANNER – 73 TOFFOLI,TYLER

4.13%

EV

77 CARTER,JEFF – 70 PEARSON,TANNER – 14 WILLIAMS,JUSTIN

2.48%

PP

70 PEARSON,TANNER – 10 RICHARDS,MIKE – 28 STOLL,JARRET – 14 WILLIAMS,JUSTIN

2.48%

PP

77 CARTER,JEFF – 70 PEARSON,TANNER – 73 TOFFOLI,TYLER

2.07%

SH

77 CARTER,JEFF – 70 PEARSON,TANNER

 

The trio, now affectionately known as "That 70's Line", due to their similar sweater number range, has been inseparable in the Kings' top six. This situation really bodes well for Pearson, who one week into the season has already put up six points in four games to lead the team (in an incredibly early sample size, of course).

However, the line has been excellent so far, and all signs point toward them being given a permanent stay together.  As far as Calder talk goes, with Drouin set to begin a (minimum) two week rehabilitation stint in the American Hockey League, Pearson has a real chance to spot himself a legitimate head start in the rookie scoring race. Playing with a premium goal scorer every night in Jeff Carter, expect Pearson to pile up the assists. While he surely won't remain amongst the top six NHL scorers come season end, (or even probably Halloween for that matter), he should be in good position to be a true darkhorse with a chance to take home the award from a bevy of other favourites.

He's not used much on the powerplay, although Pearson did make his debut on the second unit recently potting his first Powerplay marker of the season and second of his career the other night. However, which Marian Gaborik, Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter taking up residence on the main unit, don't expect Pearson to leverage any man advantage minutes with elite teammates this season.

However, with five points in his last two games, Pearson may well be riding a premature hot streak, but don't count on him not being a reliable option this year. I like his chances at meriting serious votes for the Calder in Vegas next Summer.

 

(Give Anthony Lancione a follow on Twitter @Anthisdaman)

 

     
Forensics: Duncan Keith      
Forensics: Tomas Hertl      
Forensics: Gustav Nyquist      
Forensics: Marian Gaborik      
Forensics: PK Subban      
Forensics: Jeff Carter      

 

 

Leave A Comment

UPCOMING GAMES

Nov 05 - 19:11 CAR vs PHI
Nov 05 - 19:11 MTL vs CGY
Nov 05 - 19:11 BUF vs OTT
Nov 05 - 19:11 TOR vs BOS
Nov 05 - 19:11 NYI vs PIT
Nov 05 - 20:11 MIN vs L.A
Nov 05 - 20:11 STL vs T.B
Nov 05 - 20:11 WPG vs UTA
Nov 05 - 21:11 COL vs SEA
Nov 05 - 22:11 ANA vs VAN
Nov 05 - 22:11 S.J vs CBJ

Starting Goalies

Top Skater Views

  Players Team
CONNOR MCMICHAEL WSH
ALEX LAFERRIERE L.A
PAVEL DOROFEYEV VGK
MARTIN NECAS CAR
TIMOTHY LILJEGREN S.J

Top Goalie Profile Views

  Players Team
LUKAS DOSTAL ANA
FILIP GUSTAVSSON MIN
PYOTR KOCHETKOV CAR
JUSTUS ANNUNEN COL
FREDERIK ANDERSEN CAR

LINE COMBOS

  Frequency S.J Players
22.9 FABIAN ZETTERLUND ALEXANDER WENNBERG ETHAN CARDWELL
22.3 TYLER TOFFOLI MIKAEL GRANLUND WILLIAM EKLUND
17.8 WILL SMITH LUKE KUNIN BARCLAY GOODROW

DobberHockey Podcasts

FIND US ON FACEBOOK