(Signing) Canucks sign Vincent Desharnais

[Elias Pettersson]

3 hours ago, DeNiro said:

They also lost Foegle and McLeod who I thought were pretty good for them.

 

So their net gain isn’t as much as some people are pretending. Those two also played strong two way games. 

 

Skinner and Arvidsson couldn't find the defensive zone if their lives depended on it.  McLeod is actually a good 3C who can move up to a 2C.  Foegle is also a good two way forward.  If the plan is simply to run and gun to beat teams 7-6, then I guess they should be able to do that in the regular season.  Come playoff time however, I think they are going to get beaten to a pulp.  

[N4ZZY]

3 hours ago, Elias Pettersson said:

 

Skinner and Arvidsson couldn't find the defensive zone if their lives depended on it.  McLeod is actually a good 3C who can move up to a 2C.  Foegle is also a good two way forward.  If the plan is simply to run and gun to beat teams 7-6, then I guess they should be able to do that in the regular season.  Come playoff time however, I think they are going to get beaten to a pulp.  

Well, Edmonton GM doesn't feel the same. But what do I know? I'm just a fan. 

 

With that being said, it looks like Edmonton's strategy is going to outscore the other team. Like you say, it might work in the regular season, doubt that it works in the playoffs when it's that much harder to score. Arvidsson is injury-prone, so I can't see him surviving the postseason when physicality ramps up like crazy. And then Skinner has never been to the playoffs, doesn't play defence, and scores a lot. But because he's never been to the postseason, and the playoffs are something else, I can't see Skinner flourishing in postseason play. 

 

[Alflives]

8 minutes ago, N4ZZY said:

Well, Edmonton GM doesn't feel the same. But what do I know? I'm just a fan. 

 

With that being said, it looks like Edmonton's strategy is going to outscore the other team. Like you say, it might work in the regular season, doubt that it works in the playoffs when it's that much harder to score. Arvidsson is injury-prone, so I can't see him surviving the postseason when physicality ramps up like crazy. And then Skinner has never been to the playoffs, doesn't play defence, and scores a lot. But because he's never been to the postseason, and the playoffs are something else, I can't see Skinner flourishing in postseason play. 

 

Coilers are stupid. Deharnais is a huge guy who can skate and is smart and has excellent feet. We stole an excellent D man. And he’s going to fantastic with us. 

[Boudrias]

4 hours ago, N4ZZY said:

Well, Edmonton GM doesn't feel the same. But what do I know? I'm just a fan. 

 

With that being said, it looks like Edmonton's strategy is going to outscore the other team. Like you say, it might work in the regular season, doubt that it works in the playoffs when it's that much harder to score. Arvidsson is injury-prone, so I can't see him surviving the postseason when physicality ramps up like crazy. And then Skinner has never been to the playoffs, doesn't play defence, and scores a lot. But because he's never been to the postseason, and the playoffs are something else, I can't see Skinner flourishing in postseason play. 

 

Arvidsson and Skinner are both a bit of a reclamation projects. Might work out who knows. The issue for me has always been their willingness to sacrifice defense to double down on offense. Under their new coach (won't try the name) it has been changing. To an extent their gpg against was d-zone coverage and poor goal tending. I want to see another year of Skinner before thinking he is the second coming. The new coach had a better d-side game started so we will see.  

[DrJockitch]

22 minutes ago, Boudrias said:

Arvidsson and Skinner are both a bit of a reclamation projects. Might work out who knows. The issue for me has always been their willingness to sacrifice defense to double down on offense. Under their new coach (won't try the name) it has been changing. To an extent their gpg against was d-zone coverage and poor goal tending. I want to see another year of Skinner before thinking he is the second coming. The new coach had a better d-side game started so we will see.  

They have gotten much smaller. Skinner has been one of the worst defensive players in the league but can still rip the puck when he gets to a spot. 
‘Lost their 3rd line C, lost Desharnais and looks like they may move Kane to Robidas island or try to find someone who will take him. He was actually surprisingly effective against us.  He had some great battles with Zads and more often won them than lost. 
Broberg will likely be on their big club too. 
‘They are going all in on offence and look to be abandoning  the heavier game again they were playing against us and Dallas. 
‘I know they will likely outscore their issues in the regular season, but I don’t see their changes as building a better playoff team. 

[Bob Long]

12 hours ago, st33 said:

I've never understood the hype that Edmonton's free agent signings are getting... They were always weak on defense and goalie and they still are, so I don't see them improving much if at all personally.

 

Rogers says 'hi' 

[NewbieCanuckFan]

3 hours ago, DrJockitch said:

They have gotten much smaller. Skinner has been one of the worst defensive players in the league but can still rip the puck when he gets to a spot. 
‘Lost their 3rd line C, lost Desharnais and looks like they may move Kane to Robidas island or try to find someone who will take him. He was actually surprisingly effective against us.  He had some great battles with Zads and more often won them than lost. 
Broberg will likely be on their big club too. 
‘They are going all in on offence and look to be abandoning  the heavier game again they were playing against us and Dallas. 
‘I know they will likely outscore their issues in the regular season, but I don’t see their changes as building a better playoff team. 

If the league continues to let Draisaitl throw elbows against the opposing team's best forward head while being unsuspended (even the puke Duncan Keith got a vacation during the regular season for his elbow on Hank head), they can be successful.

Edited July 7 by NewbieCanuckFan

[Crabcakes]

1 hour ago, Boudrias said:

Arvidsson and Skinner are both a bit of a reclamation projects. Might work out who knows. The issue for me has always been their willingness to sacrifice defense to double down on offense. Under their new coach (won't try the name) it has been changing. To an extent their gpg against was d-zone coverage and poor goal tending. I want to see another year of Skinner before thinking he is the second coming. The new coach had a better d-side game started so we will see.  

Oilers fans seem to think that Skinner (the goalie) is their answer even though he posted a very average 0.905 s% over 59 games last season.  Their defensive issues have always been as much about the D as goaltending anyhow.  Their system will always have to allow McDavid freedom.  In fact, their edge against other teams in the playoffs was team speed.  Their payroll is top heavy and will always be an issue for them.  It means that their window is right now because when Draisaitl is renewed in a year, team depth gets more challenging.

[NewbieCanuckFan]

2 hours ago, Crabcakes said:

Oilers fans seem to think that Skinner (the goalie) is their answer even though he posted a very average 0.905 s% over 59 games last season.  Their defensive issues have always been as much about the D as goaltending anyhow.  Their system will always have to allow McDavid freedom.  In fact, their edge against other teams in the playoffs was team speed.  Their payroll is top heavy and will always be an issue for them.  It means that their window is right now because when Draisaitl is renewed in a year, team depth gets more challenging.

Yeah 0.905 isn't anything special.  OK but not great.  

 

Their edge was officiating in the postseason.  Forget our series, it was like that in other series as well.  Throw in media darlings for added influence.

[RolexSub]

This thread is starting to sound like an Edmonton Forum!!! I can careless what the Oilers do!! Just want to make sure we are ready for them next playoffs and ready to beat their ass!!

[canuck73_3]

18 hours ago, st33 said:

I've never understood the hype that Edmonton's free agent signings are getting... They were always weak on defense and goalie and they still are, so I don't see them improving much if at all personally.

Not only that they lost 3 of their good defensive and PK players in McLeod, Foegele and Desharnais 

[CurtFraser24]

18 hours ago, N4ZZY said:

They are not bad size-wise, and their shortest defenseman is Kulak at 6'2. But they don't have a Hughes on their backend, who is an elite player. Defense by committee for Edmonton, is what I'm thinking. I think we also need to add one more defenseman to the group that's currently being assembled so that there is more movement up the ice from defence to the forwards unless there's another system that Tocchet and his staff are thinking about implementing this upcoming season. 

 

Evan Bouchard was better than Quinn Hughes in the 2024 playoffs.

One of the best points by a D man in the NHL playoffs.

Evan Bouchard had 6 goals, 26 assists and a plus-minus of +14 in 25 games in the 2024 playoffs.

[Zimmyparttwo]

9 hours ago, CurtFraser24 said:

Evan Bouchard was better than Quinn Hughes in the 2024 playoffs.

One of the best points by a D man in the NHL playoffs.

Evan Bouchard had 6 goals, 26 assists and a plus-minus of +14 in 25 games in the 2024 playoffs.

And ?

[Warhippy]

9 hours ago, CurtFraser24 said:

Evan Bouchard was better than Quinn Hughes in the 2024 playoffs.

One of the best points by a D man in the NHL playoffs.

Evan Bouchard had 6 goals, 26 assists and a plus-minus of +14 in 25 games in the 2024 playoffs.

Quinn Hughes had 10 points in 13 games in the 2024 playoffs while playing on an anemic power play with a non existent D partner and a Pettersson who essentially disappeared around mid march.

 

Put Quinn Hughes with Ekholm, McDavid, Draisatl and Hyman and how does he look in this years playoffs with 13 more games played?

[I.AM.THE.WALRUS]

2 hours ago, Warhippy said:

Quinn Hughes had 10 points in 13 games in the 2024 playoffs while playing on an anemic power play with a non existent D partner and a Pettersson who essentially disappeared around mid march.

 

Put Quinn Hughes with Ekholm, McDavid, Draisatl and Hyman and how does he look in this years playoffs with 13 more games played?

Exactly- hockey is a team sport… our office sucked in the playoffs - hughes was also seriously injured 

[Fan Abroad]

On 7/6/2024 at 8:31 PM, SilentSam said:

An Edmonton writer explains Vinny’s journey to the NHL :

 

 

Edmonton Oilers fans aren’t going to be complaining about their haul in free agency, bringing in the likes of Viktor Arvidsson, Jeff Skinner, and others to help bolster the team that made it to the Stanley Cup Finals.

But for as much joy they feel over those moves, there is one move from free agency that has them heartbroken: Vincent Desharnais signing with the Vancouver Canucks.

Take it from somebody who’s spent the last decade watching and covering the Oilers: Canucks fans, you got a good one.

Desharnais was drafted in the seventh round of the 2016 draft and he certainly didn’t have the profile of somebody who would play NHL games. Standing at 6’5, 207 lbs, he had just wrapped up his second season at the NCAA’s Providence College, scoring two goals and three points in 32 games.
 

 

While he had the size then he does now, his scouting report didn’t evoke much confidence. At the time of the draft, Steve Kournianos described him as a player who skates awkwardly, wasn’t physical with his strength being able to stand people up and use his stick to jar pucks loose in board battles.

It took years for Desharnais to work up the ranks of the hockey world. He spent two more years at Providence before turning pro in the 2019-20 season. His first year saw him play in the ECHL, and his second in the AHL. By his third season in 2021-22, he was starting to turn heads as his game evolved. He tied a career-high in goals at any level with five, while setting career marks in assists with 22 and points with 27, all in 66 AHL games with the Bakersfield Condors.

 

His rise through the ranks of the Oilers organization coincided with that of goaltender Stuart Skinner, with the two becoming good friends and even having their own celebrations together after wins.

 

In March 2022, he earned an entry-level contract with the Oilers. The only problem was that in camp the following season, he broke a bone in his hand. Four to six weeks turned to double that when surgery was needed, and he had a slow start to his season.

 

But after getting up to speed playing 13 AHL games, Desharnais earned a recall to the NHL in January 2023 and never looked back. When he was drafted by the Oilers in 2016, he told the organization “I’ll show you guys that I was worth drafting,” and he had done exactly that.

 

It didn’t take long for him to assert himself as a strong defensive defenceman, using his size to break up the cycle and clear out the front of the net. And above all else, he began to find himself as a penalty kill specialist for the Oilers, using those aforementioned tools to help the team become one of the strongest over the last two seasons. He’s not one to make a dazzling play carrying the puck out of the defensive zone, instead having a great first pass to help his team get out of trouble.

And above it all, he became one of the most popular players in Edmonton.

Hockey loves a good underdog story, and Desharnais has been exactly that. A kid from Quebec who played Jr. A hockey for the Chilliwack Chiefs went to the NCAA, having to fight and claw for everything he’s earned. Someone who, by all accounts, has been nothing but a great teammate and has embraced every city he’s played in. He’ll do the same for you in Vancouver.
 

 

 

 

What is the possibility that he slots in next to Hughes and Hronek gets his own line with Soucy?

[-dlc-]

17 hours ago, CurtFraser24 said:

Evan Bouchard was better than Quinn Hughes in the 2024 playoffs.

One of the best points by a D man in the NHL playoffs.

Evan Bouchard had 6 goals, 26 assists and a plus-minus of +14 in 25 games in the 2024 playoffs.

Well yeah except I don't know that WE would've been allowed to high stick him in the face and get away with it. Might've changed the course of things.

 

Oilers/Evan had some help in establishing those numbers.

 

F Bouchard and his dirty homies. No rah rah rah'ing for that bunch of hacks from me.

[HarbularyBattery]

1 hour ago, Fan Abroad said:

What is the possibility that he slots in next to Hughes and Hronek gets his own line with Soucy?

 

I think theres a pretty decent chance thats exactly what management had in mind

 

Thinking about hughes/hronek getting hemmed in their zone with no time or space..

 

One of the things desharnais already does well is breaking the cycle and puck retrieving in his own end, i expect the plan is for him to get the puck back, and distribute it to hughes for the breakout

 

they obviously expect to be able to coach him on his puck skills so he can keep up. He already showed he can handle high minutes each game, he did play some top-4 minutes in edmonton

 

im intrigued and cant wait to see it

[spook007]

18 hours ago, CurtFraser24 said:

Evan Bouchard was better than Quinn Hughes in the 2024 playoffs.

One of the best points by a D man in the NHL playoffs.

Evan Bouchard had 6 goals, 26 assists and a plus-minus of +14 in 25 games in the 2024 playoffs.

How many did he have being on the ice without McD and Drai... in particular on the PP. These things matter..

[spook007]

On 7/7/2024 at 3:27 PM, NewbieCanuckFan said:

If the league continues to let Draisaitl throw elbows against the opposing team's best forward head while being unsuspended (even the puke Duncan Keith got a vacation during the regular season for his elbow on Hank head), they can be successful.

It stops when there is a 'mother of all elbows to Drai's head'....  if players let him do it, it won't stop, as the league has shown its colours, when it comes to McD and Drai... 

For all the love to Zad, I didn't see him do anything to Drai neither... 

[Bob Long]

4 minutes ago, spook007 said:

How many did he have being on the ice without McD and Drai... in particular on the PP. These things matter..

 

Natural Stat Trick tracks all of this kind of info with their line tool.

 

[Elias Pettersson]

9 minutes ago, spook007 said:

How many did he have being on the ice without McD and Drai... in particular on the PP. These things matter..

 

Good point Spook.  Also, against Vancouver he actually played top 4 minutes.  19:49, 19:25 and 18:45 in 3 of the 7 games against us.  He also played 23:09 in the first game against Dallas.  These are playoff games, so Edmonton relied on him. 

Edited July 8 by Elias Pettersson

[HarbularyBattery]

1 hour ago, Bob Long said:

 

Natural Stat Trick tracks all of this kind of info with their line tool.

 

this is pretty interesting

 

with conor mcdavid, dominates

 

without, 7 goals for, 7 goals against

 

[Bobby James]

On 7/5/2024 at 2:58 PM, Reznor said:

It just doesn't seem like good use of cap space to me. What am I missing? Wouldn't we all rather have gotten a puck mover who could contribute points over Desharnais?

It is a fair question, but I think people don't appreciate a lot of these UFA Dmen get a ton of offers from teams. I'm sure the Canucks reached out/offered contracts to many notable free agent defensemen and unfortunately none agreed. At that point they pivoted and looked at what else is available for the cost and so they take a risk (a small one, but still a risk) on big Vinny and I wouldn't be surprised if he had many other similar offers available to him. 

[King Heffy]

1 hour ago, Bobby James said:

It is a fair question, but I think people don't appreciate a lot of these UFA Dmen get a ton of offers from teams. I'm sure the Canucks reached out/offered contracts to many notable free agent defensemen and unfortunately none agreed. At that point they pivoted and looked at what else is available for the cost and so they take a risk (a small one, but still a risk) on big Vinny and I wouldn't be surprised if he had many other similar offers available to him. 

Personally, I want a defencemen who can play defence.  None of the UFA "puck movers" have shown any sign that they're capable of playing like NHLers in their own zone.