Pederson is an undrafted 27-year-old forward who last played in the NHL in a 16-game stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2022-23 season. He spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, scoring 12 points (5G/ 7A) in 18 games with the Bakersfield Condors.
Pederson had three goals three assists, 27 SOG, 26 PIMs and a -1 plus/minus through 27 games with both Vancouver and Columbus in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year deal worth $1.55 million ($775K AAV) with Edmonton. The 25-year-old centre has not stuck with an NHL team for more than one season as he now joins his fifth team in five years; bringing four goals, 11 points and 38 PIMs across 71 career NHL games played.
Pederson re-enters the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the Blue Jackets' last three games. He has no goals and no assists in three games this season, with an ATOI of 7:55.
Pederson has a goal, two assists, and 12 SOG through seven games but will be a healthy scratch Thursday vs. Colorado as Jack Studnicka draws back into the Avalanche's lineup.
Pederson was dealt along with Ethan Bear for a 2023 5th-round pick. Pederson never got to play an NHL game for the Carolina Hurricanes before being health but has enjoyed two seasons prior with the Sharks and Coyotes. In 44 career games, he has one goal and four assists while posting a -18 plus/minus.
Pederson will not be available for Tuesday's game in Detroit and will likely miss all three games this week. In addition to Pederson, Logan Couture was also placed on the COVID-19 protocol list.
Pederson has missed the last eight games with a lower-body injury but will replace Jasper Weatherby in the lineup on Tuesday. Pederson has no points and a minus-7 rating in 11 games this season.
