What The Analytics Say About Vincent Desharnais' First 17 Games With The Vancouver Canucks

This past offseason, the Vancouver Canucks signed Vincent Desharnais to a two-year, $4 million contract. Listed at 6'7", 226 pounds, Desharnais was brought in to help add size and physicality to the right side of the Canucks blue line. While it has only been a few months into his career with Vancouver, Desharnais has struggled, with reports indicating that the Canucks are looking to find a new home for the 28-year-old.

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Through Vancouver's first 28 games of the season, Desharnais has suited up for 17 of them. He has two assists, 23 hits, 23 blocks and is averaging 15:08 of ice time per game. Desharnais also has 13 giveaways, while his one takeaway is the lowest among defenders on the team.

As for Desharnais analytics, they are concerning. According to Natural Stat Trick, during his 224:45 of five-on-five play, the Canucks have been outshot 101-88 and outchanced 83-73. The only positive in the analytics is that while Desharnais is on the ice, Vancouver has a 31-29 high-danger scoring chances advantage, which is also why his xGF% at even-strength is above 50%.

Desharnais' analytics are concerning because he rarely plays against the opposition's best players. According to the data tracking site PuckIQ, only 15.1% of Desharnais' five-on-five ice time has come against "Elite" competition. In comparison, 46.0% has come against "Gritensity" competition, which is the designation given to players lower in the lineup.

As for the analytics, Desharnais has really struggled against "Gritensity" competition. In 103 minutes, the Canucks have been outscored 7-3 and outshot 47-29. If Desharnais were struggling against "Elite" competition, that would be understandable, but his analytics against the bottom of the lineup highlight why he has struggled this season.

If this management group has proven anything, it is that they aren't afraid to trade recently signed players who aren't a fit. Daniel Sprong was traded after just nine games, while Curtis Lazar, who signed a three-year deal in 2022, spent only 45 games with the organization before being moved to the New Jersey Devils. While it won't be easy due to the contract, it looks like the best move for both the player and the organization is to find Desharnais a new NHL home this season.