NHL analyst names Canucks star who could feature as top defensive pairing alongside Quinn Hughes 

By Cole Shelton

Modified Aug 07, 2024 14:49 GMT

The Vancouver Canucks may have a surprise defenseman to pair with Quinn Hughes. NHL analyst Thomas Drance of The Athletic revealed that free-agent signing Vincent Desharnais is going to get run on the top pairing.

Desharnais left the Edmonton Oilers and signed a two-year, $4 million deal with the Canucks to bolster their defense. Although many thought Desharnais would be on the second or third-pairing, Drance expects the free-agent signing to play alongside Hughes.

"One wonders if we may see incoming free-agent signing Vincent Desharnais given an audition in a top-pair role for a stretch this upcoming season. He’d certainly be a candidate to match Tocchet’s “bigger defenseman that can sling Hughes the puck and play a smart game” description," Drance wrote.

"If Desharnais can hold down a role that high up the lineup, however, it could permit the Canucks to roll with a Carson Soucy-Hronek second pair, which certainly looks good on paper, and Derek Forbort and Tyler Myers combining on a jumbo-sized third pair."

Drance also added that having Desharnais play with Hughes makes the Canucks defense much deeper. He also believes Desharnais could thrive playing alongside an elite defenseman in Hughes, who just won the Norris Trophy.

Canucks improved their defense in offseason

The Vancouver Canucks focused on defense in the offseason as they re-signed Tyler Myers and Filip Hronek and then went on to sign Nikita Zadorov, Derek Forbort, and Vincent Desharnais. Vancouver now appears to be a tougher team to play against, and the free-agent signings certainly helped them with that.

Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet also believes that Quinn Hughes' ability to play with anyone allows Vancouver to have deeper defensive lines.

“The thing with Huggy too is that he can play with a lot of different guys. With a bigger defenseman that can sling him the puck, and play a smart game, that’s a luxury too if that could happen, and then Filip could drive his own pair. That’s something we have to look at as an organization,” Tocchet said.

The Canucks will open its season at home on Oct. 9 against the Calgary Flames.