Canadiens Wrap: Harris To Join Habs Tuesday, Nilan Apologizes To Drouin

Newly signed Montreal Canadiens defenceman Jordan Harris will join the Habs at their game-day skate Tuesday ahead of their tilt with the Florida Panthers.

So why is Canadiens prospect Joshua Roy ripping up the QMJHL and becoming one of the most valued Habs prospects?

Former Canadiens enforcer apologized to Habs winger Jonathan Drouin on Monday.

That and more in the latest Canadiens Wrap:

Montreal Canadiens:

Per Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes (via Renaud Lavoie), recently signed Canadiens defenceman Jordan Harris will join the team at their game-day skate in Sunrise, Florida tomorrow.

Jordan Harris will be at practice tomorrow @CanadiensMTL

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) March 28, 2022

Sportsnet Canadiens reporter Eric Engels tweeted that Hughes told the media that head coach Martin St. Louis will decide when the time is right to insert Harris into the Habs’ lineup.

Martin St. Louis will decide when to play Harris, says Kent Hughes

— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) March 28, 2022

Justin Barron achieved a lifelong dream and donned the CH for the Montreal Canadiens for the first time on Sunday night in New Jersey.

My partner-in-scribe at MHN, Marco D’Amico gave you the first of a two-part Q and A with Montreal Canadiens prospect Joshua Roy.

National Hockey Now

Boston: Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney made it abundantly clear since last offseason that he was not trading rookie goalie Jeremy Swayman, even after he went out and locked Linus Ullmark up for four years with a $5 million cap hit with a full no-movement clause in the first two years. Sweeney never budged despite some tempting offers and now Swayman is making him look like a genius.

NYI: The New York Islanders are realizing they don’t have much depth these days.

Pittsburgh: So how are the Pittsburgh Penguins handling Evgeni Malkin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has basically become a genocide?

Philadelphia: With the 2021-22 regular season already in the trash can for the Philadelphia Flyers, our man in Philly, Sam Carchidi takes a in-depth look at some potential first round picks for the Flyers.

Washington: Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has explained why he nixed a trade to the Washington Capitals.

Florida: The Florida Panthers will finally get to experience the comforts and advantages of playing at home after a stretch that saw them play nine of their last ten games on the road.

Detroit: After getting shellacked 11-2 by the Pittsburgh Penguins, will Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill get his pink slip earlier than expected?

Colorado: Our man in Denver, Adrian Dater, is getting frustrated with former Montreal Canadiens winger Artturi Lehkonen’s visa issues and him not yet playing for the Colorado Avalanche.

Vegas: Will the failed Evgenii Dadonov trade prevent the Vegas Golden Knights from getting Mark Stone and/or Max Pacioretty into the lineup before the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin? Will they make the postseason?

San Jose: Can San Jose Sharks forward Timo Meir reach the 40-goal plateau?

Canada Hockey Now

Calgary: It’s looking more and more like the Calgary Flames won’t be able to afford bringing back Johnny Gaudreau who is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 9.

Vancouver: Are the Vancouver Canucks protecting Thatcher Demko and Jaro Halak enough?

NHL

Co-founder of the Respect Group Sheldon Kennedy is pleased with progress in the NHL’s focus to prevent abuse and bullying.

Will the ‘Kucherov Rule’ become an actual thing? NHL general managers discussed that and more at the first day of the NHL GM meetings.

Finally, just want to say that I stand by everything I said about Chris Nilan here on Sunday. As I said, it was classless and hypocritical considering he has advocated against bullying and those who make mental health taboo. That’s exactly what he did to Jonathan Drouin and in fact, in a not-so-pleasant and profanity-laden phone call to me Sunday, did to me and called Drouin ‘a bleeping quitter’.

All that being said, I’m glad he realized he crossed a line and apologized to the Montreal Canadiens winger on Monday. I’m not going to sit here on a high horse and pretend I don’t have a plethora of tweets I regret, but anti-bullying and mental health are issues I care deeply about. The hockey world is a better world without players having to feel ashamed because they’re injured or not performing to the standards of demanding fans and media.

Note: He has blocked me but someone sent me this photo: