(Boston) Will Jayden Struble be as lucky as Jordan Harris? The situation will be interesting to follow in the coming weeks.
The parallels between Harris and Struble are obvious. Harris is a left-handed defenseman, drafted by the Canadiens in 3e tour in 2018, who played four years at Northeastern University before joining the Canadiens. Struble is also a left-handed defender, also drafted by the Canadiens, but at 2e tour in 2019, who is currently playing his fourth year at Northeastern.
We make the connection between the two because Struble is currently in the same situation as Harris a year ago; next month he will have to make up his mind. He could either sign a two-year contract with the Canadiens, or wait until August, so that the Habs lose their rights to him, and become a free agent. Let’s add the intermediate solution, that is for the CH to exchange it with another organization.
This season, Harris is a permanent member of the Montreal defense. The “lucky” he was that veterans Mike Matheson and Joel Edmundson took turns being injured, as was rookie Kaiden Guhle. Without those injuries, Harris probably would have been pushed to Laval, but the door opened and he did well enough to make his place.
If he wants to jump directly into the NHL, at least in Montreal, Struble will therefore need such a favorable combination of circumstances, if we are to believe the words of Kent Hughes, met Monday during the traditional Beanpot tournament.
“When he turns pro, Jayden is going to need time in the American League, I’ve already talked to him about it,” said Hughes, in an interview in the stands of TD Garden. But there are so many things that change from year to year. When I arrived in Montreal, we had Ben Chiarot, Joel Edmundson and Jeff Petry. »
Hughes quickly traded Chiarot. Edmundson has missed 12 games this season, including the last two before the All-Star Game. If he were healthy, he would certainly be at the heart of the trade rumors. Petry was traded for fellow defenseman Mike Matheson, but the latter has already missed 34 games due to injury.
Hughes could have added Alexander Romanov, whom he traded to the Islanders. In short, things change fast, and that’s essentially his message to Struble.
“When I see an organization that has a lot of depth in the American League and in the National League, there, I tell myself that the player would have a better chance elsewhere. But we are not there in Montreal, ”continues the DG.
On familiar ground
The main interested party, as a good college player, refuses to get wet on his future, recalling that his primary goal is to help Northeastern earn tinsmithing.
He evokes the “very busy schedule” to explain why he did not look into his future. Struble also remained vague when told of Hughes’ comments about the American League. “Honestly, I haven’t really had any specific discussions, but I know I have to be tough and I have to defend quickly,” he admits.
Struble doesn’t back down when it comes to his close connection to Hughes, however. Before being DG of the Canadian, Hughes was the “advisor” of Struble, the modest term used in college hockey to designate an agent. And before that, Struble knew Hughes in Boston hockey circles.
After Monday’s game, Struble bumped into Hughes, whose two sons also play at Northeastern. “I greeted him and Deena, his wife. At times like this, he is first and foremost father and friend. It was quite a friendly exchange. It’s a special situation! I lived at his house during the confinement, so I am close to the family. »
In short, he will be on familiar ground if he signs a contract with CH. “With Kent as GM, Adam Nicholas [directeur du développement hockey du Canadien] and guys from here, it’s very attractive. I will finish the season and then I will see. But it must also fit well, ”he warns.
Struble is a defender with little focus on attack, author of 9 points in 23 games this season. Since his draft, he has been renowned for his athletic abilities and his robustness. His teammates hold him in high esteem.
“The other players are afraid of him and I would be afraid if I faced him”, insists Jack Hughes, one of the sons of Kent Hughes.
“The most intimidating player in college,” says Montrealer Justin Hryckowian. As soon as he’s on the ice, everyone should know he’s there, because he can hit hard. He’s the best possible teammate, because he’s going to defend you at all times. »
We will know in a few weeks which jersey the teammates he will be defending will wear.