When Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning flipped a 3rd-round draft pick for Rangers tough-guy Derek Dorsett, it was a trade that was met with mixed reaction. While a large chunk of the fanbase was thrilled to see a guy like Dorsett come to Vancouver, there were some who questioned the merits of swapping a 3rd-round pick for a fourth line player. Whatever the case may have been, it’s doubtful many Canuck supporters are second guessing the trade at this point, as the former Blue Jacket has become a valuable member of this Canucks roster, both on and off the ice.
The 28-year-old out of Kindersley has developed into a favorite of coach Willie Desjardins, having played in key situations such as the final minutes of close games, as well as regular shifts on both the first and second power play units. While one could argue the logic behind the utilization of Dorsett in some situations (his even strength possession numbers are the worst among all Vancouver skaters), he brings a lot to the table that others don’t, the obvious one being his willingness to stand up for his teammates.
Through 65 games this season, Dorsett has a whopping 14 fights, tied for second among all NHL skaters. Considering all the criticism Vancouver takes for allegedly not standing up for themselves, his willingness to take on any challenger is a welcome addition. One also has to remember that Dorsett is not a huge guy. He’s below the NHL average in terms of both height and weight at six feet and 192 pounds respectively (the average being 6’1” and 204 pounds.) However, he does more than just goon it up on a nightly basis. He can also chip in offensively on a semi-regular basis. At the time of this writing, Dorsett has six goals and 16 assists, good for 22 points in 65 games, besting his previous career high of 20 points in 2011-12 with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The former Medicine Hat Tiger’s value extends further than just his on-ice conduct. He is also a key locker room presence for this Canucks squad, and has played a big role in the development of both rookie center Bo Horvat and the recently-revived Zack Kassian. “Derek’s one of the guys that took me under his wing” said the 19-year-old Horvat, and as Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun reports, fan favorite Kassian was also shown the ropes by Dorsett. Considering that Benning expects these two young men to play a big role in the future of the franchise, what the former 7th round pick (2006) has been able to do for Kassian and Horvat is invaluable.
It is being reported that Dorsett and the Canucks have started negotiations on a new contract, as the winger is set to become a UFA at season’s end, and it would be in their best interest to get this deal done, and done quickly. Derek Dorsett may not be the flashiest player in the Vancouver Canucks organization, but he is without a doubt one of the single most valuable.
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