The players spoke after practice about welcoming Desharnais and ensuring he's eased into the dressing room.
"For us as a team, we just got to make sure he feels comfortable," said winger Pat Maroon. "If you feel comfortable in the room, you're going to feel good on the ice and that's the main goal for us, to make sure he fits in well."
Jordan Eberle also noted the impact Desharnais will have on the team as the season winds down.
"He's a smaller guy but he competes about as hard as anyone in the League," he said. "I think he'll help us up the middle, faceoffs and D zone coverage. He's had some offensive talent in the past, too."
The tight Oilers squad is happy with Desharnais joining their adventure.
"He's a great player, he's a playmaker, can put up numbers and it's a guy that we're going to need down the stretch so we're excited to have him," said Maroon.
Said Desharnais post-practice: "I'm excited to be here."
