Report: Desharnais Could Find Himself on Top Pairing in Vancouver

It sounds strange, but unrestricted free agent signing Vincent Desharnais could find himself lined up on the Vancouver Canucks' top defensive pairing with Quinn Hughes at times this season. 

Desharnais was a third-pairing d-man for the Edmonton Oilers all last season, averaging just over 15 minutes a night, and even found himself out of the mix altogether as a healthy scratch for several games in the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals. He could have himself a lot more responsibility this season on occasion. 

Thomas Drance made the revelation in his latest report for The Athletic, and explains the method behind the potential madness:

There is a very real internal desire — an aspirational thought, perhaps — to eventually build a defense corps with enough talent that it might be possible to separate (top pairing) Filip Hronek from Quinn Hughes full time.

Certainly, there’s a sense internally that, if Hronek and Hughes were split full time, the Canucks may be able to get even more from Hronek, given his penchant for deferring to his partner who, granted, happens to be one of the most dynamic puckhandlers in the sport.

Head coach Rick Tocchet said of Hughes's pairing options after the season, "With a bigger defenseman that can sling him the puck, and play a smart game, that’s a luxury too if that could happen, and then Filip could drive his own pair. That’s something we have to look at as an organization.” 

And that's where Desharnais comes in. Drance figures the 6'7", 226-pound (yes, that qualifies as a 'bigger defenseman') newcomer could be given the opportunity to step up into that role with Hughes, allowing Hronek to take control even more on his own pairing. 

If Desharnais succeeds in that trial, it could allow the Canucks to pair Carson Soucy with Hronek on the second pair, while Tyler Myers and Derek Forbort could form a combined 13 feet of d-men on a third pairing. 

Lots to consider on the Canucks' blueline this season, who may not miss the departed Nikita Zadorov at all.