Nicolas Deslauriers


Nicolas Deslauriers is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League. He was drafted in the third round, 84th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. His play has been described as a mix between an enforcer and a grinder.
Deslauriers was born in LaSalle, Quebec, but grew up in Saint-Anicet, Quebec.

Playing career

Amateur

Deslauriers played major junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and the Gatineau Olympiques. At the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, he was drafted in the third round, 84th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings.

Professional

On May 31, 2011, Los Angeles signed Deslauriers to a three-year, entry-level contract. He made his professional debut in the American Hockey League with the Manchester Monarchs during the 2011–12 season.
On March 5, 2014, Deslauriers was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, along with Hudson Fasching, in exchange for defenceman Brayden McNabb, Jonathan Parker and two draft picks. He made his NHL debut with the Sabres in a game against the Florida Panthers on March 7, 2014.
After three full seasons in Buffalo, Deslauriers was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, before the 2017–18 season. On October 4, 2017, the opening day of the NHL season, Deslauriers was traded by the Sabres to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Zach Redmond.
Deslauriers made his debut with the Canadiens in a game against the Arizona Coyotes on November 16, 2017. For his improved playing skills in December, Deslauriers earned the Molson Cup honour at the end of December 2017. On February 19, 2018, the Canadiens re-signed Deslauriers to a two-year, one-way contract extension worth $1.9 million.
During a preseason matchup against the New Jersey Devils on September 17, 2018, Deslauriers suffered a facial fracture and was placed on the injured reserve. The injury was sustained during a fight with Brandon Baddock. He returned to the lineup for Montreal's game against the Ottawa Senators on October 20, 2018. On November 8, 2018, Deslauriers scored his first points of the 2018–19 season. Against his former team, the Buffalo Sabres, he assisted a goal by Matthew Peca and scored a shorthanded goal of his own. Deslauriers was unable to replicate his previous season offensive totals, contributing with just 2 goals and 5 points in 48 games.
On June 30, 2019, Deslauriers was traded by the Canadiens to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a 2020 fourth-round draft pick. On March 10, 2020, Deslauriers set the record for fastest hat trick in Ducks history, scoring his third goal at 11:49 in the first period of a 5-2 victory against the Ottawa Senators.

Career statistics