Latest On Canadiens’ Jordan Harris

With the trade deadline passed, the last-place Montreal Canadiens are now looking ahead to next season. The next possible move in their rebuilding effort is to sign 2018 third-round pick Jordan Harris. The NCAA standout defenseman and Northeastern University captain is nearing the end of his fourth and final collegiate season and new Habs GM Kent Hughes hopes that the next step in his career is to sign with the team that drafted him:

We’ve talked about what the opportunity would be in Montreal for him if he chooses to (sign). He’s an impending free agent if he doesn’t sign with us. Our hope is that he does. We kind of laid out what we’re trying to do with the organization, what our plan is, and how we see him fitting in.

Given the current status of the Canadiens, Hughes is not exaggerating the considerable role that Harris could immediately step into to begin his NHL career. A smooth-skating and productive two-way defender, Harris has all the tools to succeed in the pros and Montreal has no reason not to hand the college star major responsibilities right off the bat if it ensures that he signs with the team. The potential for opportunity will only increase with an inevitable Jeff Petry trade as well; Hughes noted yesterday that he tried to move the veteran blue liner but could not find a fair deal and will circle back in the offseason. Meanwhile, the left-handed Harris prefers to play on his right side and could step directly into Petry’s top-four spot on the right.

Hughes also hopes that personal ties to Harris could add credibility to his promises as he negotiates with the young defenseman. Hughes has known Harris for much of the blue-chip blue liner’s life; Hughes coached Harris at one time and Hughes’ sons, New York Rangers prospect Riley Hughes and potential 2022 first-rounder Jack Hughes, has played with and against him for years, including all three with Northeastern this season.

Of course, it is worth noting that prior to becoming GM in Montreal, Hughes was a Boston-based player agent. Harris not only attended college in Boston, but grew up in nearby Haverhill. If the hometown Bruins come calling, offering up a roster spot of their own on a blue line that should have one or two holes to fill this summer, Harris could opt to wait until August to become a free agent and stay in Boston. If Harris is as close to the Hughes’ boys as his father hopes, it’s also possible that he could be attracted to joining Riley with the Rangers or signing with whichever team drafts Jack. It also entirely possible that Harris merely wants to evaluate all possible options later this summer.

One thing that Montreal can offer Harris that no one else can is a chance to play in the NHL this season and burn the first year of his entry-level contract. Northeastern is the lowest seed in the strongest region of the NCAA Tournament, facing Western Michigan on Friday and, if they advance, the winner of Minnesota-UMass on Sunday. It’s an extremely difficult slate and Harris more likely than not will see his collegiate career come to an end this weekend. The Habs could sign him right away and have him in the lineup next week, a no-brainer if it helps to secure the signing. However, should the Huskies win the region, Harris could be playing through April 9. At that point, it becomes a more difficult decision to allow Harris to play in the NHL this season with just ten games left. It still seems likely that they would do so if it seals the deal, but is yet another variable to consider. The Canadiens want Harris – and for good reason – but this not a done deal just yet.