Contract extension for David Desharnais
Canadiens sign forward David Desharnais to a four-year contract extension
Montreal Canadiens Press Release
Friday, 15.03.2013 / 9:11 AM
MONTREAL (March 15, 2013) – Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced today a four-year contract extension for forward David Desharnais (2013-14 to 2016-17). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“David Desharnais is a talented young player and his contribution is essential to the success of our team. David has shown perseverance and determination which enabled him to reach the NHL and succeed. He has earned this contract extension and the Canadiens organization is pleased to have secured his services for many years to come,” said Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin.
The 26-year old Desharnais played in each of the Canadiens 27 games since the start of the 2012-13 season. In his fourth NHL season, he has recorded 16 points (8 goals and 8 assists), including one power play goal and two game-winning goals. He also served 18 penalty minutes and averaged 16:41 of ice time per game.
Since making his NHL debut, the 5’ 7’’ and 177 lbs forward recorded 99 points (32 goals, 67 assists) in 157 regular season games. Desharnais has a +4 plus/minus differential and tallied eight goals on the power play and four game-winning goals. He enjoyed his most productive NHL season in 2011-12 finishing third among the Canadiens top point getters with 60 (16 goals and 44 helpers). He also earned one assist in five playoff games in 2010-11.
A native of Laurier-Station, Quebec, Desharnais first joined the Canadiens organization as a free agent on November 5, 2008.
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Update: Although the Canadiens did not disclose financial details, Renaud Lavoie from RDS reports that Desharnais’ contract is worth $14M over four years. $3.5M per year is a significant increase over the $850,000 he is being paid this season.
Now when I found out about this extension, I was kinda pissed. Don’t get me wrong, I want to like DD but he’s not a top 2 center and isn’t gritty enough nor is he a good enough defensive player to play the 3rd line.
However, after thinking about it a bit, I honestly think I know the thinking behind this extension. Now we all know DD is not a true NHL center(probably a poor choice of words but I digress) but what about shifting him to LW? Seeing as our wing depth isn’t overly impressive and given DD’s inability to be strong on faceoffs and his lack of defensive game, putting him on the 2nd line starting next year as a LW is easily Montreal’s best bet.
By placing DD on the wing you alleviate his defensive responsibilities to a near minimum and it takes him off faceoff duty(but at the same time it helps Montreal when they get booted from the circle). And one of the biggest positives of moving DD to the wing is the fact that he’s not a very strong puck carrier and as a LW he no longer has the pressure of starting the offensive attack.
This allows Therrien to use Plekanec-Eller-Galchenyuk up the middle and you can then mix and match Pacioretty. Gallagher, DD, Bourque, Gionta and any UFA signings. IMHO I like that lineup better then with DD as our #2 C.
Now when I found out about this extension, I was kinda pissed. Don’t get me wrong, I want to like DD but he’s not a top 2 center and isn’t gritty enough nor is he a good enough defensive player to play the 3rd line.
However, after thinking about it a bit, I honestly think I know the thinking behind this extension. Now we all know DD is not a true NHL center(probably a poor choice of words but I digress) but what about shifting him to LW? Seeing as our wing depth isn’t overly impressive and given DD’s inability to be strong on faceoffs and his lack of defensive game, putting him on the 2nd line starting next year as a LW is easily Montreal’s best bet.
By placing DD on the wing you alleviate his defensive responsibilities to a near minimum and it takes him off faceoff duty(but at the same time it helps Montreal when they get booted from the circle). And one of the biggest positives of moving DD to the wing is the fact that he’s not a very strong puck carrier and as a LW he no longer has the pressure of starting the offensive attack.
This allows Therrien to use Plekanec-Eller-Galchenyuk up the middle and you can then mix and match Pacioretty. Gallagher, DD, Bourque, Gionta and any UFA signings. IMHO I like that lineup better then with DD as our #2 C.
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