Montreal Canadiens Schedule Could Help Them Sign Jordan Harris

The Montreal Canadiens season is not going well as they sit near the bottom of the NHL standings.

Part of the reason could possibly be linked to their difficult schedule. That Stanley Cup wasn’t handed out last season until well into the month of July when it is usually awarded in the middle of June. Also, there is a large break in the schedule in February for the players to play in the Olympics.

Since the Canadiens were in the Stanley Cup Final, they had a very short offseason, and the break in the schedule for the Olympics condenses things a little bit throughout the year.

However, the combination of a bad season and a much different schedule that usual might work in the Canadiens favour in one instance. The team has signed a couple of top prospects after their college seasons ended over the past couple of years. Cole Caufield left Wisconsin last season to make his NHL debut and Ryan Poehling did the same thing after his third college season a few years ago.

When a player makes their pro debut it allows them to burn the first year off their entry-level contract and become a free agent that much sooner. It is a great incentive for many prospects, but some are more patient.

The Canadiens have a tricky situation on their hands with prospect Jordan Harris. He is playing his fourth season of college hockey with Northeastern. Since he will be graduating at the end of this season, he is eligible to become an NHL free agent if he just chooses not to sign with the Canadiens.

The only caveat for signing is that he could play NHL games this season. He can’t become a free agent until August and though he could choose his destination then, he would miss out on his NHL debut in the 2021-22 season.

A little luck of the schedule might just be enough to entice Harris to sign with the Canadiens this season.

Northeastern is scheduled to play its last regular season game on March 5th. They are having a strong season so far, but wouldn’t be considered an elite team in college hockey. They are likely to earn a ticket to the Hockey East tournament which is to be held March 18th and 19th. The top four regular season teams play single game elimination style to crown a division champion.

If Northeastern were to lose that weekend, which many would predict as they are currently ranked third in the division, Harris college career would be over.

The Canadiens play the Ottawa Senators on the 19th, but their next game is against the Boston Bruins, in Boston on March 21st.

Harris is from Haverhill, Massachusetts which is just outside the city of Boston.

It would be a quick turnaround, but if Northeastern is eliminated on the weekend of March 18th-19th, the Canadiens could offer him a contract that would immediately burn off the first year, and also add the extra incentive that if he signs quickly, he could make his NHL debut in him hometown just a couple days later.

Also, with the Olympic break included, the Canadiens regular season isn’t scheduled to finish until the end of April. So, if Harris signs right away he could play 18 NHL games this season. Most players leaving college only have the opportunity to play a handful of games before the regular season ends.

With the late start and Olympic break providing an opportunity to play a significant number of games, and a dream come true debut in Boston, the quirky schedule this season just might help the Canadiens entice Jordan Harris to signing with them this season.