The final numbers are in for David Desharnais for his first full NHL season. They are quite impressive.
16 goals 44 assists for 60 points/+10/16.8% shooting percentage/5 SO goals
Tied for 20th among all centers in scoring/12th among all centers in assists/8th best shooting percentage among all centers
Tied for 56th in the league among all scorers/24th overall in assists/20th best shooting percentage overall
3rd leading scorer on team/3rd best +/- on team
His five SO goals were best on his team and were tied for 14th best in the league.
DD's defensive play improved dramatically as the season progressed. He was the Habs only reliable SO performer.
His play measurably improved in his last 44 games as he recorded 39 points in these games. Had he maintained this pace over the 81 games which he played-a rate which is certainly possible for next season-he would have had 72 points. That would have ranked him 20th among all players and 9th among centers.
I hope that DD does shoot the puck more often next season. He only had 98 shots on goal in the 81 games in which he played often passing when shooting was the better option. I suppose that is one of the reasons why he had so many assists, but I believe that if he adopts a marginally more aggressive shooting strategy, he will both score more goals and make his already stellar playmaking all the more effective.
My hat is off to this pint sized performer who has overcome incredible odds to achieve a very admirable amount of success. I certainly hope the best is yet to come for this former Cyclone.
Solid year by Desharnais, who finished just behind former AHL Mighty Ducks left wing Chris Kunitz in scoring (career-high 26 goals, 61 points for Pittsburgh).
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Posted - 04/08/2012 : 05:39:24 AM
