Jordan Harris Can Now Sign With The Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens are on the clock now, as Jordan Harris’ NCAA career has ended after Northeastern University’s heart-breaking 2-1 OT loss to Western Michigan today.

Hockey Insider Elliotte Friedman quickly took to Twitter to state that Harris would be signing with the Canadiens imminently, which is likely to be music to the ears of Montreal Canadiens fans.

Do it with the proper respect: What a great game between Western Michigan/Northeastern, with the former winning in OT. In the aftermath, hearing Jordan Harris will sign two-year ELC with MON. Dont be surprised if he’s in lineup this season to burn first year.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 25, 2022

The 21-year old Harris, the captain of the Huskies, was in his final season in the NCAA as a senior, and he will now turn his attentions to the next step in his hockey career. The former 3rd round pick in 2018 for the Montreal Canadiens has a big decision on his hands, but Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes believes he’s got a very good chance at bringing in Harris, and that should happen in the next few days.

Positive Signs From The Get Go

Hughes and Montreal Canadiens management have been adamant in their pursuit for Harris and their desire to have him sign with the Canadiens to finish out the year. Harris would have an advantage in signing with Montreal immediately, as he would be able to burn the first year of his two-year entry-level contract right away. Should he forgo signing with the Canadiens and sign with another team after the August 15 deadline, his rights would expire, and he would have to sign a two-year contract effective only for the 2022-2023 season, thereby delaying earning potential by a year.

The reason Jordan Harris has to sign a 2-year ELC despite being 21 years old at this moment is due to signing age.

Harris will turn 22 in July this year, his signing age is considered 22.

Ages 22 to 24 must sign 2-year ELCs, and he gets to burn the first year right away.

— Marco D'Amico (@mndamico) March 25, 2022

Hughes has known Harris for a long while and hopes that Harris will feel comfortable joining the Canadiens now that the former player agent, as well as former coach, is at the organization’s helm.

“We’ve talked about what the opportunity would be in Montreal, for him if he chooses to sign,” said Hughes during a Montreal Canadiens roundtable this week.” He’s an impending free agent if he doesn’t sign with us., but our hope is that he does. We laid out what we’re trying to do with the organization, what our plan is and how we see him fitting in. I’ve known Jordan for a long time. I’ve coached Jordan, and I know his family; he’s played with and against my oldest son since they were seven or eight years of age. Hopefully, that familiarity works in our favour.”

The captain opens up the scoring!

Jordan Harris' third of the year gives the #HowlinHuskies a 1-0 lead!#HockeyEast pic.twitter.com/CMB7UeOK3D

— Northeastern Men’s Hockey (@GoNUmhockey) January 18, 2022

For more coverage of Montreal Canadiens prospects at the NCAA National Hockey Championships, keep it locked on Montreal Hockey Now.