The San Jose Sharks have been utilizing the pending trade deadline to wheel and deal players to better their franchise. The Sharks have released that they have made a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins. This shortly follows their morning trade where they parted ways with Vitek Vanecek.
Sharks Acquire Defenceman From The Penguins
The Sharks have traded their 2028 fifth-round pick for defenceman Vincent Desharnais from the Penguins. This will not be the first time he has been traded in the last month. The Vancouver Cancucks had received him during the off-season and had played 34 games with the franchise before being traded on February 1st.
? Welcome Vincent Desharnais
The #SJSharks have acquired defenseman Vincent Desharnais from the Penguins in exchange for a 2028 fifth-rounder.@Shift4 | #TheFutureIsTeal
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 6, 2025
Desharnais was traded to the Penguins for a 2025 1st round pick in the upcoming draft. Barely a month later, and 10 games with Pittsburgh, he is headed to San Jose. Desharnais will provide a large body on the ice, he has been known for hard hits and being physical when needed.
The 6’7″ tall defenseman holds other valuable skills that the Sharks can utilize during this time. Desharnais is great during penalty kills and limiting the opponent’s chances on the ice. He has a way of getting the puck away from his opponents and can cover the ice fast and efficiently.
Veteran Defenceman Can Still Improve While Proving To Be An Asset
In Desharnais’s 158 games played in his three years in the NHL, he has one goal and 18 assists. He has averaged 14:24 on the ice this season, this could be an area that he grows while in San Jose.
Desharnais was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2016 NHL Draft. He then spent time in the ECHL and the AHL Bakersfield Condors before making his NHL debut in 2023 with the Oilers.
The defenceman has areas that he needs to improve on and work on. However, his size and his defensive and offensive play will be appreciated in San Jose. Giving them a larger body and someone who can carry out on hard hits and breaking up the puck.
Vincent Desharnais traded to #SJSharks
He does not provide much offense but plays a physical game. He could be a good spot-starter for PIM, hits and blocks down the stretch.https://t.co/wuWutWLRA3 pic.twitter.com/qAasOFAqUk
— Frozen Tools (@FrozenTools) March 6, 2025
Desharnais will need to work on improving his decision-making skills in the area of stick positioning to decrease the penalty calls. Following along the lines of his size and his physical play, he will also need to work on using that asset effectively in the proper settings.
Reflecting on his previous games throughout the different teams. He had acquired 54 penalty minutes in 78 regular-season games in Edmonton. During his time in Edmonton, he was able to be a part of their playoff run last season. He had racked up 22 penalty minutes in 16 games during the playoffs.
Sharks Add Depth With Desharnais
San Jose Sharks will be playing the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. This will be Desharnais’s first game in teal. His arrival will give the Sharks seven defenseman on their roster now that they lost Thrun to an injury.
The team needs a defenseman who is a right-hand shot. Bringing in Desharnais will provide the depth in this area. Being that he is moving into a team that is in their rebuild era, he has a lot to learn but a lot to give to the team. He has the experience of playing on various teams and playing in the playoffs.
Desharnais also provides security for the team as they have struggled with injuries. His presence will bridge that gap while they face the holes left in their lineup. He will also provide a sense of protection for the younger players; his ability to become forceful could be a blessing but a curse if not done properly.
Main Photo: Eric Hartline- Imagn Images
The post San Jose Sharks Grow Their Depth In Defense By Acquiring Veteran appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.