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In Hainsight: What to Expect from Jordan Harris |
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Follow me @KarineHains for all updates about the Montreal Canadiens and women's hockey
Not so long ago, Habs fans were wondering if Jordan Harris would sign with Montreal or test free agency after his NCAA career. A couple of years later, the sophomore blue liner is just about to enter the first year of his second contract with the team. Last February he put pen to paper on a two-year $2 800 000 extension with an AAV of $1 400 000.
In 65 games, the left-handed defenseman put up 17 but it’s not his offensive game that catches the eye, it’s the fact that he’s got a really solid all-around game. When he was paired up with right shot blue liner Jonathan Kovacevic, they formed the team’s most efficient pairing according to advance statistics.
This season, the Canadiens’ blueline is as crowded as ever, especially since Kent Hughes sent Jeff Petry to Detroit and got some depth on the right side of the defense by bringing in Gustav Lindstrom. Just like Xhekaj, Barron and Guhle, Harris will still be waiver exempt this year, but it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which he would be the one sent down to Laval. With nine defensemen signed to NHL contracts, it’s highly likely that there will once again be a rotation system put into place.
The Canadiens’ defense corps is young right now, but it’s likely to get even younger in the coming years since the Habs have more defensive prospects (Mailloux, Engstrom and Reinbacher) who’ll likely be pushing for a roster spot sooner than later. If they all pan out, the Habs’ blue line will get even more crowded than it already is and down the line, they’ll have to move some of their assets at the back.
As things stand, I believe Kaiden Guhle is as close as untouchable as can be, Kovacevic and Barron are both right-handed which gives them a bit of an advantage and Arber Xhekaj brings toughness and physicality that Harris won’t be ever to match given his smaller frame. Harris does bring a steady game to the table though and he could likely bring a good return when the time comes to pick someone to move. If it does happen, I’ll be very sorry to see him go, not only because of his solid play on the ice, but also because he’s a smart and articulated young man who can have a positive influence on his teammates.
I expect Harris to spend the year in Montreal, hopefully, any rotation system put into place will be based on merits and those who deserve to play will. It’s hard to know in how many games he will feature since injuries are likely to also factor into line-up decision, but I’d like to see him play a good 70 games with increased responsibilities. I believe that by carrying on playing as he has, his offensive output will also grow, but he’ll never be an offensive defenseman and a 20 points contribution would be a very good result for him.
On a different topic, TVA Sports’ Renault Lavoie reports that Canadiens’ prospect Logan Mailloux has received clearance from the NHL to play with the Habs when his time comes. As you most probably know, Mailloux had had legal trouble in Sweden when he admitted to two charges related to sharing, without her consent, a photo of a woman performing a sexual act. While in the past there was a “boys will be boys” attitude towards that kind of behavior, the league has decided to crack down on problematic behavior. Just last year, the Boston Bruins signed Mitchell Miller to a three-year contract, and they were told he wouldn’t be able to play by the league. Miller bullied a black classmate with developmental difficulties back when he was 14 years old, and the league decided to hold him accountable for his actions mainly because he didn’t show remorse or properly apologize to his victim. We should also soon hear the result of the inquest into players of the 2018 Team Canada at the World Junior Championships and chance are, there will be some consequences there as well.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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