Mattias Norlinder recalled, Jordan Harris on injured list

We knew the Canadiens were going to issue a recall today, but we wondered whether it would be a defenseman or a forward.

Now we know the answer.

In the final moments, the CH announced the recall of Mattias Norlinder. In the end,colleague Maxime Truman was right.

At the same time, we learned that Jordan Harris, who is returning to Montreal for tests, has been placed on the injured list.

His injury is therefore (much) more serious than expected:

The news comes as something of a surprise.

Mattias Norlinder had an excellent training camp with the Canadiens, it’s true. But the defenseman has had his share of failures in Laval since the start of the season.

He’s been struggling offensively (one goal and one assist in fourteen games), and last week Jean-François Houle even left him out for a game.

Perhaps the Habs decided to reward him for his big camp, while letting the youngsters (like Logan Mailloux) develop down below… But hey.

Even if he’s recalled and joins the team in California, that doesn’t mean he’ll play.

So Gustav Lindstrom, Mike Matheson, Justin Barron, Jayden Struble, Kaiden Guhle, Johnathan Kovacevic and Mattias Norlinder are with the big club right now. Talk about a defense that doesn’t have much experience at the National League level…

Mike Matheson better be ready, because he’s likely to spend a lot of time on the ice in the next few games. Hehe.

Extension

Remember that Mattias Norlinder will earn (much) more money in the National Hockey League, even if his stay is short… And that it will be used to help pay for Saturday’s rookie dinner in Los Angeles.

Norlinder earns $70,000 in the AHL. The amount rises to $800,000 in the NHL.