Vincent Desharnais explains what Oilers teammates really think about playing Canucks

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Liam McCormick
August 16, 2024 (1:02 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers lost a fan favourite player when defenceman Vincent Desharnais left the team in free agency, and now he'll add a new element to the rivalry with the Vancouver Canucks.

Desharnais was recently interviewed by Jason Gregor, and opened up with an interesting perspective on the Oilers-Canucks rivalry. According to Desharnais, the Oilers were always reluctant to play the Canucks due to their physical style of play.

»Every time we would play Vancouver, the guys [Oilers teammates would say] �agh, not Vancouver again, they're so intense, they're so hard to play against, they're always in your face.' And in playoffs, we saw it. Probably the team that gave us the biggest challenge of the first three series. So I mean, for me to go play for for a team like that kind of matches my style of play, my mentality.»
- Vincent Desharnais

The energy between the Canucks and Oilers rivalry is as heated as it's ever been in recent seasons. Both teams are playoff contenders and will surely meet in the playoffs again over the next few seasons, but the Oilers have had the edge every time, adding fuel to the fire for the Canucks. Under Rick Tocchet, the Canucks have taken a major step to play a more complete and physical game, and Vincent Desharnais will be a major part of that identity.

According to multiple Canucks sources, the team has high hopes for what Desharnais can bring to the lineup. Coach Rick Tocchet is believed to be interested in trying Desharnais on the first pairing alongside Quinn Hughes, with Desharnais bringing a defensive and physical presence that Hughes doesn't have.

Vincent Desharnais was drafted in the seventh round by the Oilers back in 2016, and toiled away in the ECHL and AHL for several seasons before breaking through at the NHL level. He's only appeared in two seasons for the Oilers and played 114 regular season games, but quickly became a fan favourite for his physical play and presence in the locker room, especially his celebration with Stuart Skinner.

Even though he's signed with a rival team, Oilers fans will still be hoping for Desharnais to have success in his career - except of course, when the Canucks play the Oilers.

Source: CanucksArmy

�It could have been worse, it could have been Calgary': Canucks' Desharnais jokes about facing Oilers