The Columbus Blue Jackets get some decent injury news as Scott Harrington comes off of IR.
Seth Jones. Brandon Dubinsky. The list of Columbus Blue Jackets injured is filled with game changers. At least tonight they get an injection of NHL experience on the blue line with the return of Scott Harrington.
Harrington was activated off of the IR yesterday following concussion issues. The third year Jacket suffered the injury against the Pittsburgh Penguins on September 28th in the penultimate preseason game of 2018.
The native of Kingston, Ontario played in 32 games last year and 22 in 2016-2017. Coach John Tortorella is excited to get Harrington back in the lineup and has always been keen on the potential of the 25-year-old. In the post practice press conference Monday Torts said he would be in the starting lineup against Colorado.
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Scott was one of three defenseman coming into the season fighting to take the last slot on the blue line along with Dean Kukan and Gabriel Carlsson. Adam Clendening has worked his way into that conversation through his excellent play in the preseason. With injuries to Murray and Jones, the trial for the final slot has been extended through the first few weeks of the regular season.
Harrington isn’t going to blow anyone away with his skating, puck moving, or physical play. A good showing for Harrington is to go out there, eat up 15 minutes of ice time and not be noticed. If you don’t hear his name called on the broadcast other than “Scott Harrington makes his 18-19 debut tonight”, it will have been a good showing for Harry.
Tonight, Harrington will likely draw in alongside of Dean Kukan on the third pair. The two have been paired together before and will be shielded with the fist and second pairs eating up a majority of the minutes. That means another heavy workload for Zach Werenski who is third in the NHL in average ice time this season.
Another serviceable defenseman healthy is welcome news for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Let’s hope that Seth Jones join Harrington soon.