The Boston Bruins will be heading into training camp in less than a month. The club will be looking to put together a solid team in hopes of getting back to playoff contention. Part of that effort was signing depth players to bolster the current team core.
One such offseason signing was former Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jordan Harris. Harris was a former third-round pick of the Canadiens in 2018. He debuted with Montreal during the 2021-22 season, playing in 10 games.
His solid showing earned him a shot at making the team the following season. He played in 65 games during the 2022-23 season, and 56 in 2023-24. Harris was then dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets as the main piece in the Patrik Laine trade.
The Blue Jackets had high hopes for Harris, but he just didn’t pan out in Columbus. Harris appeared in 33 games, scoring one goal and adding four assists. So, the Blue Jackets did not issue Harries a qualifying offer, making him a free agent this summer.
The Bruins picked Harris up. He signed a one-year, $825K deal. The signing was a savvy one by the Bruins, but also a bit of a gamble. Harris has failed to establish himself as a regular NHL blue liner. That situation means that he won’t have much leeway in Boston this upcoming.
If Jordan Harris can’t prove he’s cut out for the NHL, he could find himself on waivers even before the end of training camp.
Where Harris Fits into Bruins’ lineup
At best, Jordan Harris is a bottom-pairing defenseman for the Bruins. It would be tough to envisage Harris displacing Nikita Zadorov or Mason Lohrei for a lineup spot. While he could beat out someone like Andrew Peeke, Harris would need a stellar training camp to have a shot.
So, the likeliest spot for Jordan Harris would be as the Bruins’ seventh defenseman. That scenario would mean sitting in the press box most nights. But then again, that was the purpose of signing him. The Bruins need depth on the blue line. Harris delivers that at the right price.
That spot also makes him an easy candidate to put on waivers if he can’t make the team. The Bruins have other internal candidates who could step up to take his place as a seventh defenseman.
Boston Could Still Hold onto Harris All Season
There’s an argument for holding onto Jordan Harris all season. The Bruins, while possessing internal options to take over that seventh spot, may not want to have a younger defenseman spend the bulk of the season in the press box.
For instance, someone like Max Wanner or Michael Callahan would benefit from playing time in the AHL. That’s why having Harris occupy the seventh blue line role isn’t the worst idea in the world.
Of course, Harris would need to prove he can come into the lineup when called up. And, he will, given how injuries can take a toll throughout the season. A healthy, productive Jordan Harris could be a nice-to-have in the Bruins’ lineup this upcoming season. However, if he can’t prove he’s got what it takes, he may end up on the waiver wire.
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