On June 20, 2011, Desharnais signed a two-year contract extension with the Canadiens. During the 2012–13 NHL lock-out, he played in the Swiss National League A for HC Fribourg-Gottéron, scoring 16 points in 16 games. He also represented Fribourg in the 2012 Spengler Cup. On March 15, 2013, Desharnais signed a four-year, $14 million contract extension with the Canadiens.