The San Jose Sharks are making moves on the blue line, with one veteran returning to the ice and another heading to the AHL.
Defenseman Vincent Desharnais has been activated from injured reserve and is eligible to rejoin the lineup Monday night as the Sharks face off against the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. It’s a welcome return for the 29-year-old, who’s been sidelined since late November with an upper-body injury. His last game came on November 26 against the Colorado Avalanche, and while the team never specified when the injury occurred, he was placed on IR shortly afterward.
Desharnais may not light up the scoresheet-he’s still searching for his first goal of the season and has just two assists through 20 games-but his value to the Sharks isn’t measured solely in points. At 6-foot-6, he brings size, reach, and a physical presence that’s tough to replace.
He last registered a point back on November 8, ironically against the same Panthers team he could face tonight. While his lone NHL goal came during the 2023-24 season with the Oilers, Desharnais has carved out a role as a stay-at-home defenseman who can eat up minutes and bring stability to the back end.
This is Desharnais’ first full season in San Jose after the Sharks acquired him for a fifth-round pick ahead of last year’s trade deadline. With the team in a transitional phase and looking to build a more defensively responsible identity, his return could help solidify a blue line that’s been in flux for much of the season.
On the flip side, veteran defenseman Nick Leddy is heading to the AHL after clearing waivers on Monday. The Sharks assigned the 34-year-old to their affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, marking his first stint in the minors since the 2010-11 season.
It’s a tough turn for the Eden Prairie, Minnesota native, who’s had a rocky year. After returning from injury in November, Leddy struggled to find his footing and has been a healthy scratch more often than not.
He’s appeared in just 19 games and has four assists to show for it.
Leddy’s demotion underscores the Sharks’ desire to get younger and more consistent on the back end. While his puck-moving ability and experience are undeniable-he’s logged over 900 NHL games-his role has diminished in a season where the team is clearly shifting toward a longer-term rebuild.
As the Sharks continue to juggle development with competitiveness, these moves reflect where the organization is headed. Desharnais’ return offers a chance to reinforce the defensive corps with a player who fits the team’s mold going forward, while Leddy’s reassignment opens the door for younger players to step up and seize a bigger role.