Our series of player reviews comes to a close today with Scott Harrington. This season, Harrington was expected to fill the same role as last season, as the spare defenseman. It’s a thankless task to spend most games in the press box, but having to prepare every day in case called upon. When that moment comes, it’s on Harrington to shake off the rust and try to replace the production of the missing player.
When Ryan Murray got injured, Harrington got a rare opportunity for regular playing time, suiting up in 24 consecutive games. During this time, he did seem to get more comfortable. However, his play never rose above that of a replacement level bottom pair blue liner.
In fact, while Harrington was a negative Corsi player, every other defenseman (except Jack Johnson) was positive in his time away from Harrington:
Harrington has one year left on his contract, with a salary of $700,000 and a cap hit of $675,000. With the resigning of Markus Nutivaara and Dean Kukan and the likely return of Ryan Murray and Ian Cole, there may not be a place for Harrington in the top 7. In that case, he could be traded or placed on waivers. Either way, I expect him to see much less time in a Blue Jackets sweater next season than the last two years.
Scott Harrington 2017-18 Stats
Games played: 32
Goals: 2
Assists: 3
Points: 5
Time on ice: 13:18
Penalty Minutes: 8
Corsi For (even strength): 43.8%
High Point
Just now, as I realized his name could be spoonerized into “Hott Scarrington” which kinda sounds like a Tim Burton character.
Seriously, his high point came on February 20, when he scored the first and only game winning goal of his career, burying a one timer off a no-look centering pass from Artemi Panarin. Both of Harrington’s goals this season came on the road against the Devils.
Low Point
Harrington’s worst +/- game of the season was when he was on ice for two of the goals in the 5-0 shutout loss to Tampa Bay on New Year’s Eve.
Report Card
How would you grade Scott Harrington’s 2017-18 season?
| A | 0 |
| B | 4 |
| C | 28 |
| D | 36 |
| F | 5 |