Last Friday, defenseman Jordan Harris signed a two-year extension with the Canadiens that will pay him $1.4 million a season until 2025. It’s a bit of an under-the-radar signing, one that wouldn’t necessarily make headlines around the league. But it was a great move nonetheless, locking up one of the more underrated players on the Canadiens at a very reasonable price.
On Sunday, Harris scored twice, helping the Canadiens defeat the Edmonton Oilers, capping off an excellent Super Bowl Weekend for the Habs. It was goals two and three on the year for Harris, doubling his career total in the process. But the points don’t tell the whole story with Harris, a player who often plays a quieter, steady game that usually goes unnoticed.
Jordan Harris, signed to a 2x$1.4M extension by MTL, is a young defenceman who had put up very strong results in a third-pairing role as a rookie, especially on the penalty kill. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/k3LCPdYNDT
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) February 10, 2023
In an article before the season began, I discussed the expectations that should be set for a player like Harris. In it, I said:
"Harris likely will not garner any attention from Calder voters this year, nor is he likely to put up many points, but he should still get opportunities to impress. Harris plays a solid but quiet game, likely projecting as a second or third-pairing guy in the NHL. He isn’t going to put up a ton of points or dish out too many big hits, but when he’s at his best, he is rock solid."
I’d say that’s almost exactly what Jordan Harris has been, a quiet but solid player. His point totals are nothing to gawk at, but with 13 points in 49 games, he’s certainly helped out when he could. And at just 22 years old, there’s no reason those point totals can’t continue to grow as he gets more and more comfortable.
Harris has been a little under shadowed so far this season, with the likes of Kaiden Guhle and Arber Xhekaj both drawing the attention of Canadiens fans. But I think everyone agrees that Harris has been a very solid player on the blueline, logging big minutes for a young rookie still very early into his career. And they should be even happier knowing that Harris is locked up for another two seasons now. It wasn’t that long ago fans were worried he wouldn’t sign at all, instead choosing to go the Jimmy Vesey route after college.
I, for one, love this signing, as I believe Harris has been one of, if not the best, defenseman for the Canadiens this year. Harris is the modern-day two-way defenseman, capable of moving the puck, skating well, and making smart plays. It’s hard to find many flaws in his game, aside from maybe not being “elite” at any one particular thing. I can see him roaming the Canadiens blueline for a long time, and this contract obviously goes a long way toward that becoming a reality.
Just saw the Jordan Harris Contract extension. Absolutely sweet deal. Harris has been fantastic so far this season, he just plays such a quiet, reliable game you don't hear about him the way you do Guhle and Xhekaj.
— Ryan Praught (@RyanPraught) February 10, 2023
Not only is the $1.4 Million cap hit a good deal, but it also gives Kent Hughes one less thing to worry about with a stressful few months ahead. With a Caufield extension still needed, the trade deadline and draft upcoming, getting one of the more manageable pieces of business out of the way feels necessary for Hughes and the front office. So, what do you think of the Jordan Harris contract extension?
Want your voice heard? Join the A Winning Habit team!