The Buffalo Sabres added forward Tanner Pearson from the Winnipeg Jets shortly after the NHL trade deadline, acquiring him in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. This marks the fourth addition for the Sabres before the deadline. Pearson brings playoff experience and physical play to the team.
The Buffalo Sabres announced the acquisition of forward Tanner Pearson from the Winnipeg Jets on March 6, 2026, roughly 30 minutes after holding a news conference following the NHL trade deadline. In exchange, the Jets received Buffalo's seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Pearson, 33, recorded seven goals and six assists in 52 games with the Jets this season, along with a plus-7 rating that tied for third on the team. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch, he has registered 64 hits, a figure that would rank sixth among Sabres players. Over his career, Pearson has amassed 325 points (157 goals, 168 assists) in 774 NHL games across teams including the Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens, and Vegas Golden Knights. Selected 30th overall by the Kings in the 2012 NHL Draft, he contributed to their 2014 Stanley Cup win and has appeared in 59 playoff games, posting 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists).
This trade is the Sabres' fourth before the deadline. Earlier, they obtained forward Sam Carrick from the New York Rangers in exchange for their 2026 third-round pick and a sixth-round pick acquired from Chicago. They also traded forward Isak Rosén, defenseman Jacob Bryson, a 2026 fourth-round pick, and a 2027 second-round pick to the Jets for defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn.
Pearson's addition bolsters Buffalo's forward group with his postseason pedigree and physical presence, as the team continues to build for the remainder of the season.