One has become the cornerstone of his new team, the other is struggling to get playing time: it is in completely different circumstances that Sean Monahan and Jordan Harris will return to Montreal this Saturday evening with the Blue Jackets .
Posted at 1:07 p.m.
In Columbus, Sean Monahan spends more than 19 minutes on the ice per game, the highest total among forwards. He has his place at the top center position, and second in team scoring, behind winger Kirill Marchenko. On Friday, in a crushing 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, Monahan even amassed his 300e mention of career assistance.
Beyond the numbers, the Ontarian occupies an important leadership role within the blue vests. “I have never changed who I am or what I do throughout my career. I just try to be the same player and improve every day,” he comments, in front of the horde of Montreal journalists.
It is therefore in good spirits that Sean Monahan returns to Montreal. “It was really fun playing here. It was special, with all the history behind this team. I met some really good friends who are still here,” he shared. Josh Anderson is notably “one of his best friends for life”. Monahan, however, did not wear a personalized friendship bracelet when meeting the media. It was (probably) hidden in a pocket of his jacket.
In Montreal, it’s not just Josh Anderson who misses Sean Monahan. In a team that struggles to win faceoffs, struggles to score and lacks experience, the presence of a Monahan would be welcome.
“Any team that had a guy like him in its locker room would be a winner,” assures Canadian defender David Savard. He’s an excellent player on the ice, he helped us a lot, but it was also his maturity, his way of seeing the ups and downs in a season. »
« [Monahan] was very responsible, recalls Martin St-Louis. He brought what we needed off the ice with the kids. He ticked a lot of boxes. »
Sawtooth
At certain times during the season, the stability of Jordan Harris’ game would also have been welcome for the Canadian. And, as simple as it sounds, his ability to play on the right side.
PHOTO PAUL VERNON, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jordan Harris
Unlike Sean Monahan, Jordan Harris did not have the leisure to choose his destination. The defender left for Ohio following the Patrik Laine transaction in August.
Even if he was the lamb sacrificed in Montreal, which had several defensemen on its roster, it was far from being filled with a feeling of revenge that Harris would jump on the ice at the Bell Centre.
“It will be a bit strange to be on the other side,” admits the American. But it’s nice to be back. I hope to have some of my old teammates later. »
All is not rosy in Columbus, for Harris. The left-hander was scratched from the lineup seven times, and earned no points. “We talk to him a lot,” reveals coach Dean Evason. He skates extremely well, but he has to make aggressive, hard plays with and without the round. He skates well out of the zone […] but he must play with purpose, and a certain firmness. »
Harris will play this Saturday evening on the last pair, to the right of Jake Christiansen. This will be a second game in two nights for him, deployed for 15:12 minutes on Friday. Dean Evason calls his performance “very good”.
« [Vendredi] This evening, I did a better job of recovering pucks, Jordan Harris self-assessed. This is what I have to continue to do, believe in myself and trust myself. »
Read “A clear priority for the Canadian”
Return to victory
Before winning at home against the Penguins on Friday, the Blue Jackets had lost six consecutive games. The Canadian found himself in the same situation before defeating the Buffalo Sabers on Monday. Martin St-Louis’ troops, however, suffered defeat again on Thursday, against the Minnesota Wild.
These are therefore two teams in difficulty who will cross swords this Saturday evening. “We’re growing up. We had a bad stretch on the road, but the guys competed most of the time, said Dean Evason. I’m really happy with the way we played in general. »
Forward Kent Johnson is “getting closer” to a return to play, according to Dean Evason, but will miss the game against the Canadian. Erik Gudbranson and Boone Jenner are also in the infirmary.
