Detroit Red Wings Have Chase Pearson in Their Plans

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has suggested, or implied, that center Chase Pearson is in the team’s plans. Thursday they gave Pearson a new one-year contract.

Unless there are injuries, Pearson isn’t likely to make the Red Wings coming out of training camp. But he should be at the top of the list this season when there are call-ups.

“He did really well (for the Grand Rapids Griffins) this year,” general manager Steve Yzerman said during a recent Zoom press conference. “I think he made a significant step.”

Pearson, 23, is 6-foot-2, 210 pounds and he registered 22 points in 28 games last season for the Griffins.  The former college player at Maine is projected to be a bottom six forward who can help a team with his versatility and consistency of his effort. He was drafted 140th overall by Detroit in 2015 and has shown improvement as he climbed the ladder. Pearson has played parts of three seasons in Grand Rapids.

“He really benefited last year, he played in all situations and did really well,” Yzerman said. “We were really pleased with the year that he had. We’ll see what happens.”

Pearson has options remaining, meaning he isn’t subjected to waivers when he is sent to the minors.That’s another benefit for the Red Wings