Canucks Sign Guillaume Desbiens to One-Year Contract

[caps05]

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks President & General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that the Canucks have signed right wing Guillaume Desbiens.

Desbiens, 27, has played in 23 NHL contests with the Canucks and Calgary Flames, collecting 37 penalty minutes. In 2011.12 he split the season with the Flames and the AHL Abbotsford Heat. The 6’2”, 205 lbs. forward registered 14 points (3-11-14) and 114 penalty minutes in 59 games with the Heat and 25 penalty minutes in 10 games with the Flames.

The Alma, QC, native was originally selected by the Atlanta Thrashers 116 th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

[McDonald19]

Good, hope he makes the team.

I'm guessing it's between him and Volpatti for the last forward spot?

[Stevens Lindros]

YES!! He'll take care of Kassian, Hordi, and Konopka. He's not a true heavyweight of course but he can fight some of them including Biz. He's already played for the Canucks and I think Coach V likes him. Yes, McDonald19, I do believe it is between him and Volpatti.

[straka91]

He is oh so close to breaking out fightwise, he just needs a legit shot to do it. I wish him all the best. Can be a solid LHW.

[Stevens Lindros]

Canucks signs Guillaume Desbiens 1 year / $600 000 (2 way)

https://twitter.com/RenLavoieRDS/sta...98435670036480

He's played 13 games for the organization before and I hope to see many more this year.

[flamesblackace]

Oh Canucks, you make me laugh...

Have fun with this guy... Hahahahaha...

Oh Canucks, Canucks... The window is quickly closing... Very very quickly!

[ThrowdownSJ408]

well desbiens showed a little last season that he knows his job and got a little meaner. i liked what i saw. i think if he brings that the competition between him and volplotti will be fun.

[MattBurger]

Kind of surprised that Desbiens has 0 career NHL goals. He's actually got some skill. Not a great fighter, but he's an improvement over anything the Canucks have currently.

[JKidd]

Perfect, him and Kass had a hell of a go last year, so hopefully this'll make the rivalry with the Canucks heat back up to something worth watching.

[MattBurger]

Originally Posted by Stevens Lindros

Hey Flamers...have fun with nobody! Jackman fights worse competition than this guy. Flames sure do look like the weakest link in the Northwest Division after this....actually they always do! I can't believe the most mis-managed and shit team in the NHL still has any fans, but of course you're all redneck trash so it doesn't matter. Enjoy having no window...

Jackman actually doesn't fight worse competition than Desbiens. Jackman's fight card includes the likes of Brad May, Nathan Perrott, Ryane Clowe, Chris Neil, Shawn Thornton, Arron Asham, Mike Rupp, Deryk Engelland, Ryan Reaves, Paul Bissonnette and Eric Boulton. They're about equal when it comes to fighting skill, in my opinion. They're both light-heavyweights who can hang in there with heavyweights every once in a while.

Oh yeah, and for what it's worth, Jackman beat Desbiens in a fight during the 2009 preseason:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=239CyQQ-uZQ

[fcm]

Great for Desbiens. I saw him yesterday at my hometown arena in a little free-entrance tournament between NHL/AHL players. Great guy, seemed to have fun showing Kelsey Tessier and Kevin Poulin how to fight. Too bad he was on the same team than Jimmy Bonneau, they could have fought.

[R.Middleton]

Gotta admire the comradery and willingness to stick up for each other by the Flames fans in this thread.

I'm hoping some of this translates to the ice for the Flames.

[HordiBrusk29]

Of course Gillis had to settle with somebody willing to accept that all important two way contract. That will give him so much extra wiggle room to add that missing piece that is just waiting to be scooped up by the Canucks.

Hey I'd rather have him over a euro or some soft ass fourth liner. I just don't see him being much of an upgrade on what they already have. Not to mention I'm not even convinced he'll make the team.

[fcm]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

Hey I'd rather have him over a euro or some soft ass fourth liner. I just don't see him being much of an upgrade on what they already have. Not to mention I'm not even convinced he'll make the team.

Desbiens is more willing than Dale Weise and a better fighter also.

[Stevens Lindros]

Originally Posted by fcm

Desbiens is more willing than Dale Weise and a better fighter also.

Exactly, this isn't ideal, but I'll take what I can get, and it's more than Calgary has at least [Jackman only]. Edmonton, Minny, and Colorado if Bordeleau makes it will be tough.