Sharks Acquire Vincent Desharnais from Penguins Ahead of Trade Deadline

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks announced today they have acquired defenseman Vincent Desharnais from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a fifth-round selection in the 2028 NHL Draft.

Desharnais, 28, has had a tumultuous 2024-25 season, playing with both the Penguins and the Vancouver Canucks. He began the season in Vancouver, accumulating three assists and 34 penalty minutes over 34 games. On February 1, 2025, he was traded to Pittsburgh in a deal involving defenseman Marcus Pettersson, where he suited up for ten games, recording a +4 rating and four penalty minutes.

In his 158 career NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver, and Pittsburgh, Desharnais has tallied 19 points, including one goal and 18 assists. The six-foot-seven, 226-pound defenseman, who hails from Laval, Quebec, was originally selected in the seventh round (183rd overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Oilers.

Mike Grier, General Manager of the Sharks, stated the acquisition aims to bolster the team’s defensive depth. “Vincent has the size and skill we need on the back end. He’s shown flashes of his potential, and we believe he can help us regain our competitive edge,” Grier said.

Desharnais is currently in the first year of a two-year, $4 million contract that averages $2 million per year. This low-cost addition allows the Sharks to maintain flexibility as they navigate their salary cap, particularly with anticipated cap space next season.

Despite his struggles this season, averaging just 15:37 in ice time per game and recording a minus-nine rating, Desharnais is looking to secure a permanent roster spot in San Jose. The move is seen as potentially beneficial if he can perform well, as it could enhance his trade value in the future.

The Sharks currently sit at the bottom of the NHL standings with a 17-37-9 record and are on a two-game winning streak. They will look to build on this momentum when they face off against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday evening.

The Penguins, on the other hand, have now acquired an additional fifth-round pick for 2028, further enhancing their draft capital. President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas noted that shedding Desharnais’ contract gives Pittsburgh more financial flexibility moving forward.

As the NHL trade deadline looms, with trades expected to ramp up, acquiring prospects and draft picks remains a priority for Pittsburgh.