Is defense Jeff Gorton's top priority?
Once he unveils the identity of whoever (or whatever) will accompany him as the organization's general manager, Jeff Gorton will have several projects to work on, but what is really the priority with the Habs?
According to journalist Mathias Brunet, the defense will be the number one point to improve, especially in terms of mobility. Ben Chiarot, David Savard and Joel Edmundson, when healthy, are indeed not the most mobile of their profession and although they are good skaters, the young Kale Clague, Sami Niku and Alexander Romanov still need time to grow.
So Jeff Gorton should start looking at available backs very soon as the trade deadline approaches.
However, Gorton could also fall back on an in-house solution, as Costa Rontzocos reminds us on Twitter. The Tricolore still owns the negotiating rights to prospect Jordan Harris, who is currently playing his final season in the U.S. college system, and a deal would be much more likely to be reached now than it was before the hiring of a negotiator like Jeff Gorton.
Harris, a complete defenseman, known for his mobility and vision, could be a great addition to Montreal's defense if he joins the team at the end of this campaign or for next season. Gorton would have a great opportunity to make a case for the 21-year-old.
In short, even if he were to add something, Harris would not transform this defense on his own and other personnel moves would be required. But Jeff Gorton would certainly appreciate having one more quality option in his organization.
