Both MLive’s Ansar Khan and the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan posted profiles of Red Wings prospect Chase Pearson this afternoon.
Pearson, who’s an “older prospect” at 24 years of age, looks like someone who’s continuing to evolve into a stalwart defensive center at the NHL level, and that is exactly what Pearson’s goal for this season happens to be, as he told Khan:
“The goal is making the Red Wings roster on opening night,” Pearson said. “Just give them a reason for me to stay. I’m going to try to do that every day and have a positive attitude around the rink. That’s about all I can do, and things will face into play, or they won’t. We’ll see.”
Pearson is a good-sized center (6-3, 205) who fits the checking-line mold. He’s strong defensively, has shown some offensive ability in the AHL and can play the wing.
The Red Wings are looking to replace fourth-line center Luke Glendening, who signed with Dallas. They also parted ways with Darren Helm, Evgeny Svechnikov, Frans Nielsen, Richard Panik and Mathias Brome, creating opportunities.
Mitchell Stephens, acquired from Tampa Bay and drafted the same year as Pearson, might have the inside track on the fourth-line center spot based on his NHL experience (45 games). Veteran Carter Rowney and young Joe Veleno and Givani Smith also are in the mix for bottom-six spots.
Kulfan picks up the story from there:
Last season, during the pandemic shortened AHL season, Pearson had eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points. Those 22 points were identical to how many Pearson earned the season before. The difference: Pearson amassed the total last season in 28 games, unlike the 59 games the season before.
Pearson had a plus-3 rating last season, compared to being minus-9 the season before.
“Last year was huge for me,” Pearson said. “I got a bigger role in Grand Rapids, and I earned the coaches’ trust a little bit more, which enabled me to play in all situations and really take a step forward.
“I got better defensively and also on the offensive side. I was able to come into my own a little bit, which helped through playing more and gaining confidence. When you play with confidence, the game comes easier for you.”
Kulfan also continues…I don’t say this about many prospects, but I have full faith that Chase Pearson is going to be a defensive center at the NHL level within a year or two, regardless of whether it’s with Detroit or some other NHL team, and his employer will be better off for having him in the lineup.
