The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Vincent Desharnais to a four-year, $16.8 million contract, Senior Vice President and General Manager Chris Patrick announced today. Desharnais’ contract will carry an average annual value of $4.2 million.
Desharnais, 30, recorded seven points (1g, 6a) and averaged a career-high 18:11 of ice time in 53 games with the San Jose Sharks last season. The Laval, Quebec native ranked tied for second among San Jose defensemen in blocked shots (83) and third in hits (103). In addition, Desharnais’ +7 plus-minus rating ranked second on the Sharks, trailing only forward Macklin Celebrini (+8). Among NHL defensemen with at least 50 games played, Desharnais ranked fourth in shorthanded ice time per game (3:14) and 15th in hits per 60 minutes (6.14).
Desharnais, who split the 2024-25 season between San Jose, Pittsburgh and Vancouver, established single-season career highs in assists (10), points (11) and shots (41) in 78 regular-season games with Edmonton in 2023-24. In addition, Desharnais recorded one assist in 16 playoff games with Edmonton during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, helping the Oilers reach the Final.
Originally drafted by Edmonton in the seventh round (183rd overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft, Desharnais has recorded 26 points (2g, 24a) and averaged 16:00 of ice time in 218 career NHL games with San Jose, Pittsburgh, Vancouver and Edmonton. Desharnais, the 62nd defenseman taken in 2016, ranks ninth among defensemen from his draft class in shorthanded ice time (485:52), 10th in hits (370) and 11th in blocked shots (336).
Desharnais spent parts of four seasons with the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL) from 2019-22, where he recorded 39 points (5g, 34a) and 117 penalty minutes in 122 games. Prior to beginning his professional career, Desharnais recorded 29 points (8g, 21a) in 131 career games at Providence College (NCAA) from 2015-19. During his senior season in 2018-19, Desharnais was named the Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman after posting a team-high +22 plus-minus rating in 42 games.
