Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet reported that Vancouver Canucks defenseman Vincent Desharnais is on the trade market as the team seeks a new destination for him.
On the 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman noted that the relationship between Desharnais and the Canucks hasn’t developed as hoped, prompting general manager Patrik Allvin to explore trade options for him.
“Vancouver is looking for a better fit for Vincent Desharnais. It’s just not working out as anticipated,” said Friedman. “The Canucks are intriguing right now. With players like Thatcher Demko and J.T. Miller returning, they want to assess the team’s current state. However, Jim Rutherford has a tendency to seek trades, making their next moves unpredictable.”
At 6-foot-7, Desharnais boasts notable mobility, which could attract interest from the New York Rangers. Most NHL teams are in search of depth defensmen, and he holds a two-year contract worth $2,000,000 AAV. Although he has only recorded two points in 17 games, his size could prove beneficial for the Rangers as general manager Chris Drury continues to revamp the roster.
Given the loss of Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks and the Rangers’ significant cap space leading up to the March trade deadline, they may look to acquire players like Desharnais to bolster their bottom defense pair. Friedman also pointed out that the Canucks are known for being proactive in trading and restructuring their roster, suggesting that a move for Desharnais is likely to happen soon.
