Player Discussion Vincent Desharnais

[alanschu]

FYI the rule is that front a front loaded deal the variance from year to year cannot be more than 25% of the first year and the lowest year cannot be any less than 50% of the highest year. So this contract is not legal as stated. The idea is a good one though.

I knew there was some type of 50% but couldn't remember exactly how it worked haha.

But, interesting type of opportunity for him.

 

[joestevens29]

Yes, it will be interesting. Financially, I think Vinnie's contract value becomes more clear as these playoffs go on and the competition level, pressure, and style of game evolves with differing opponents. This will help to calibrate his pricing as a UFA.

Woodcroft gave him an NHL opportunity that Desharnais seized and has continued to build upon. But can't forget he always fought for his contracts with initial minor league deals and hard playing miles through ECHL and AHL competition. Cap Friendly shows him with career earning of $513,000 so this is now about a peak career player with distinguishing characteristics and attributes that include elite size, hard grinding style, right-handedness, a growing and maturing game at NHL level with PK and game close-out deployment. He's going to get paid and common sense suggests at his age that term length will have to be longer. The range I think could be $2 million to $2.5 but maybe $1.8 as you suggest.

Desharnais bet on himself for over a decade and countless leagues and teams going back to minor midget to be in this position of now controlling his financial destiny. Looks as well like there's more latent potential as his game calms with experience.

Now maybe a contract changes him, but this is a guy that spent countless hours working with coaches at all levels as well.

People like to say Broberg was treating unfairly, but Vinny was a guy staying late after practice all the time asking the coaches what he can do better and how to do that.

The way the guy talked the day we signed him to the NHL contract was unreal. I've never heard a guy be so thankful for being given an opportunity to play in the AHL let alone how he went on to talk about what that NHL contract meant.

Need those character guys that are always willing to get better and put the effort in.

Just having a guy like that on your roster really goes a long way for other prospects too. He can show guys that you can be taken in your third draft year in the 7th round and still find a way to the NHL if you are willing to work.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Now maybe a contract changes him, but this is a guy that spent countless hours working with coaches at all levels as well.

People like to say Broberg was treating unfairly, but Vinny was a guy staying late after practice all the time asking the coaches what he can do better and how to do that.

The way the guy talked the day we signed him to the NHL contract was unreal. I've never heard a guy be so thankful for being given an opportunity to play in the AHL let alone how he went on to talk about what that NHL contract meant.

Need those character guys that are always willing to get better and put the effort in.

Just having a guy like that on your roster really goes a long way for other prospects too. He can show guys that you can be taken in your third draft year in the 7th round and still find a way to the NHL if you are willing to work.

Agree on all your points. Most especially a story of internal development success that can show the long road path, work effort, commitment and belief can payoff.

Only quibble is I think the Desharnais v. Broberg is a false narrative. Broberg's path was shifted by critical organizational events including Klefbom career ending injury and shitty NHL veteran blueline depth requiring upgrades with Kulak, Keith and Ekholm which pushed Broberg down and then dumbly into a off shooting side hope to compete at RD (instead of moving a veteran guy like Kulak who had done at NHL level). Completely fubar development for their pedigree defense prospect, not, a matter of fake claims of entitlement or work effort failings. Let's just credit Desharnais for doing what he needed to earn a job and confidence.

With Desharnais he needs to stick to his very simple, structured and hard game. There were a couple of subtle shots when there was a brief slip down the stretch when he was getting caught being too fancy in his play leading to overhanding, turnovers, and poor aggressive pinch/reads but he's been really solid. Especially no bad penalties in the playoffs.