Vincent Desharnais had a tough season in 2024-25, even before he joined the San Jose Sharks.

After signing with the Vancouver Canucks, the defenseman was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was traded shortly after to the Sharks. Desharnais was a feature on the Edmonton Oilers’ blue line during the 2023-24 season, but was replaced in the lineup the deeper they got into their playoff run.

Desharnais’ deal with the Canucks was a two-year contract with an average value of $2 million. After the media session on Saturday, the Sharks defenseman said signing that contract put more pressure on him.

“It was just getting traded twice, and I was in Pittsburgh for, I think, 34 days, and it’s hard to find some comfort. You know, you’re alone in all this,” Desharnais said. “It was a good summer for me to flush all the negatives that happened. I’ve made a few changes. Did a lot of mental work. When the season ended, I was in a tough place mentally. I took a lot of time off, in the woods, fishing, and no phones, no social media, and that was very, very helpful. I want to help this team turn around.”

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Desharnais had a great moment in practice on Saturday. After 30 shooters on both sides of the San Jose Sharks scrimmage missed in a shootout, Desharnais won it with a goal.

“I think it’s the first time in my career that I can make my team win in the shootout.” – #SJSharks Vincent Desharnais

Do you think you’ll get picked in a game to go now?

“Nope. Next question” – said with a massive smile and laughing from all https://t.co/vMQS9XROwp— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) September 20, 2025

Desharnias knows he needs to have a bounce-back season for the Sharks and his career. The 29-year-old will be a UFA at season’s end, and without a good season, his NHL career could be challenging to rekindle.

“Going back to Edmonton, and not playing this like every game is Stanley Cup Final [after] playing the whole season. Playing most playoffs, and at the end, you’re not in, right away, you question yourself,” Desharnais explained. “You change teams. Things are not going away. Get traded, get traded again. At some point, your confidence is taking a hit. It doesn’t mean that [the Sharks] are going to hand me that role. We have a very competitive d-core, and it’s good. It makes everyone kind of push, push each other.”

Desharnais is ready to do the dirty work for Sam Dickinson

The San Jose Sharks have paired their top defense prospect, Sam Dickinson, with Desharnais through the first part of training camp.

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Dickinson is in a battle to make the opening night roster, and Desharnais is ready to help the youngster succeed.

“One thing I told him right off the bat is that his skill set is a lot better than mine. Whatever I tell you, it’s just from experience,” Desharnais said. “I told him, at the blue line, you’re gonna get the puck every time. Don’t you worry. You’re the one who’s getting points.”

Dickinson and Desharnais will play in the Sharks’ preseason opener against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky had a message for Dickinson and Michael Misa ahead of tonight’s game.

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“At the end of the day, [I want to see] their skill level. Their ability to create offense goes without saying; whatever league they’re in,” Warsofsky said. “I want to see them play without the puck. I want to see how they defend [and] how they manage their shifts. How they manage the game, those sorts of things. So it’s a good challenge for them.”

Desharnais knows he won’t be the offensive player Dickinson projects to be. The Sharks defenseman wants to be a reliable defenseman. Dickinson appreciates what the 6-7 d-man can do for him.

“He’s great. A great guy, definitely helped me out a lot. [He’s] always giving me pointers on the ice. Every time he talks, I’m all ears,” Dickinson said. “Even on the ice, a great player. A guy who settles everything down.”

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