Reports suggest David Desharnais is heading to the KHL
The undersized veteran center may have played his last NHL game with the Rangers.
Igor Eronko of Sports-Express has reported that New York Rangers’ depth center David Desharnais may be KHL-bound. Desharnais will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 31-year-old signed a one-year, $1,000,000 contract with the Blueshirts on July 4, 2017.
Hearing David Desharnais is heading towards the #KHL #NYR
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) April 22, 2018
Desharnais put up 28 points — six goals, 22 assists — in 71 games during the 2017-18 season in New York. The creative, undersized center put up seven points on the power play this season while averaging 13:03 time on ice per game. The Rangers’ coaching staff made Desharnais a healthy scratch several times this year due in large part to his lackluster defensive play and his inability to produce offense while playing in a bottom-six role.
It is not altogether surprising to hear that Desharnais is considering continuing his hockey career overseas. Before becoming a Ranger he was traded by the Montreal Canadiens to the Edmonton Oilers on February 28, 2017. And this season revealed that Desharnais’ days of being an everyday NHL player are almost over. In the KHL he will likely see top-six minutes and should also be able to find a contract with term.
It goes without saying that Desharnais did not fit into the Rangers’ future plans.
Also, for the time being, Mats Zuccarello is once again the shortest player on the Rangers roster.
Salary information courtesy of capfriendly.com