Vincent Desharnais: from Oilers depth to Canucks' potential top pairing
Vincent Desharnais's move from the Edmonton Oilers to the Vancouver Canucks this off-season marks a significant shift not only in his team colors but potentially in his role on the ice.
A surprising twist in his career trajectory suggests that he may soon find himself on the Canucks' first defense pairing, a stark contrast to his depth position with the Oilers.
Thomas Drance recently noted the Canucks' strategy to possibly elevate Desharnais alongside star defenceman Quinn Hughes. In his blog, Drance speculates.
This potential promotion comes with the intention to better utilize Filip Hronek on the second pairing, believing this shuffle can optimize the team's defensive lineup. Coach Rick Tocchet seems to view Desharnais as an ideal fit for his system, which leverages a player's physique and intellect to enhance Hughes's dynamic play.
The move has raised eyebrows among hockey fans and analysts. Desharnais, at 28 years old, has had a relatively short NHL career with just 114 games under his belt and a history of being an occasional healthy scratch during crucial playoff games with the Oilers. His career up to this point has been defined by perseverance, climbing through the minor leagues and eventually securing a stable position, albeit in a limited role.
Handling top-pair minutes is a formidable challenge for a player whose NHL presence has been defined by bottom-pair duties and penalty-killing responsibilities. In Edmonton, Desharnais managed to carve out a niche by maximizing limited ice time and focusing on a defensive role, though he sometimes struggled with puck movement and higher-caliber opposition.
Yet, if Desharnais can rise to the occasion with the Canucks, it could turn out to be a highly economical move for the team. Signed to a modest two-year, $2 million annual contract, the financial risk is minimal for Vancouver but could yield a high reward if he successfully transitions to a more prominent role.
Despite the change in teams, Oilers fans retain a soft spot for their former seventh-round draft pick, cheering for his personal success�except, perhaps, in direct confrontations with Edmonton. As the new NHL season approaches, all eyes will be on Desharnais to see if he can fulfill these elevated expectations and truly anchor the Canucks' top defensive line.
Source: Thomas Drance
Canucks summer notebook: Rick Tocchet's Canada gig, Vincent Desharnais' opportunity, more
Source for Desharnais statistics:
| POLL | ||
Is Vincent Desharnais capable of playing in the top pair as a defenseman? | ||
| Yes | 15 | 31.9 % |
| No | 30 | 63.8 % |
| See Results | 2 | 4.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
