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Edmonton Oilers Season in Review: David Desharnais

By Sammi Silber

Apr 6, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Edmonton Oilers center David Desharnais (13) controls the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. The Edmonton Oilers defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Edmonton Oilers center David Desharnais (13) controls the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. The Edmonton Oilers defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Acquired at the trade deadline in exchange for Brandon Davidson, Edmonton Oilers centre David Desharnais was brought on for a variety of reasons.

Not only did the team acquire a bottom-six centre, but they found someone who could win draws and add a lot of edge to the fourth line. The 30-year-old may not have contributed the most on offence, but he did help the team in many other areas.

Overall Impact

When it comes to Desharnais, he did just what he was brought in to do. He won faceoffs and proved to add some kind of drive to the bottom six. Though he didn’t have too big of an impact on the scoreboard, Desharnais’ speed and grit helped ignite some kind of offensive rush.

Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers /

Edmonton Oilers

Though just 5-foot-7, 176 pounds, Desharnais could get to the greasy areas in front of the net and proved to have some physical impact. He made the most of his time on the ice. On the backcheck, Desharnais was able to follow the play and serve as an asset on special teams.

Stats

Through 18 games with the Oilers, Desharnais finished with two goals and four points and was a minus-1. His 54.3 percent success in the faceoff circle was among the best on the team, and he proved to add an edge on the offensive side of the game.

However, there was room for improvement when it came to his possession metrics. Though he had six takeaways, he gave away the puck five times and boasted a -1.8 relative Corsi. His overall Corsi also sat under 50 percent, and he proved to have some trouble hanging onto the puck.

In the playoffs, he proved to improve and be a key player for the team. In 13 playoff games, Desharnais posted one goal (a clutch overtime goal) and four points and was a plus-3. He gave up the puck just three times and had five takeaways. With this improvement, he showed upside and that he can play to his true potential.

Next: Edmonton Oilers Season Review: Benoit Pouliot

Overall Grade: B

In his limited time with the Oilers, Desharnais added some edge and helped the Oilers in key areas. However, he struggled when it came to maintaining possession, and there was room for him to improve. As a pending UFA, Desharnais will likely hit the market, leaving Edmonton to decide if they should find someone else to fulfill his duties and do a better job of it.

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