Observations:

January 2018 – Recent injuries to Zach Werenski, Ryan Murray, and various other short-term scrapes to the CBJ blue line have presented Harrington with a regular run of NHL ice time since late November. He hasn't set the world on fire, but Harrington's done a lot of the dirty work – killing penalties, serving on their bottom pairing, and registering 23 blocked shots and 14 hits in that 16-game span. If you are desperate for peripheral d-man production in a deep league, you might take advantage of Harrington's current role and hope it translates into something more enduring. Kevin Wickersham

March 2016 – Harrington has had a rough year in his development. On the positive side he has played almost as many NHL games as he has in the AHL, which is most in his career and has been solid and responsible including his first NHL assist. But he has been riddled with multiple injuries including one that is currently keeping him out of action. While playing in the AHL he has been more of a quiet defender, not posting points at a rate you’d expect with a highflying offence, producing only a trio of points in 15 games. The 23-yr-old, restricted free agent will be in another battle to appear on the Leafs blueline should he return from the summer. Jason Banks

January 2015 – Going pointless and minus-1 in his first game after being recalled Jan. 16 to the NHL, the 20-year-old was scratched in the next game when Robert Bortuzzo came down from the press box. Although Harrington is known as a conservative, defense-first defender, his promotion was surprising considering he was pointless and minus-8 in six previous games with Pittsburgh this season. Fourteen points and a plus-16 rating in 31 AHL games indicate why Pittsburgh keeps giving him a chance. Mark Allan

December 2014 – Besides Harrington staying healthy, a minor miracle for the Penguins at the moment, his contributions are debatable. With no points and a minus-5 rating in five NHL games, he hit teammate Patric Hornqvist with a shot, sidelining the productive winger for weeks with a lower-body injury. Harrington is likely the first defenseman Pittsburgh would demote to the AHL with the return of Kris Letang, Paul Martin or Christian Ehrhoff. Mark Allan

December 2014 – Continuing a yo-yo season between Pittsburgh and its AHL affiliate, the six-foot-two blueliner was recalled Dec. 14 by Pittsburgh. While the trade of Philip Samuelsson to the Arizona Coyotes for forward Rob Klinkhammer could free up some ice time on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton blueline, Harrington has yet to actually dress for Pittsburgh this season. In 21 AHL games this season, the two-way player has five assists, a plus-6 rating and 12 PIMs. Mark Allan

December 2014 – The six-foot-two fourth-ranked Pittsburgh prospect (per the Hockey News Future Watch) is behind fellow defenders Derrick Pouliot (No. 1) and second-ranked Brian Dumoulin with the AHL farm team. In 16 games this season, the two-way blueliner had three assists, a plus-three rating and six PIMs. Known for leadership intangibles, he had 19 shots on goal but no special-teams points. Mark Allan

November 2014 – Instead of recalling top prospect Derrick Pouliot, the Pittsburgh Penguins promoted Harrington when defenseman Olli Maatta left the big club for throat surgery at the start of the month. For the second time this season, the 21-year-old Harrington didn’t get into an NHL game before being sent back down to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In 16 AHL games this season, the six-foot-two, 209-pound two-way blueliner has just one assist and 12 penalty minutes. At this rate, he’ll rack up more ups and downs this season than an Otis elevator. Mark Allan

October 2014 – Well-stocked with promising young blueliners, the Penguins demoted Harrington to the AHL as one of their final cuts in training camp. However, they have recalled him while reassigning D-man Taylor Chorney to the AHL. Harrington was a healthy scratch Oct. 11 in a 5-2 win over the Maple Leafs. Mark Allan

December 2013 – Scott Harrington has become a very dependable AHL defenseman for the WBS Penguins already in his first pro season. He is relied upon in all situations and has contributed statistically with two goals and six assists in 23 games for WBS. Though his play probably warrants it, Harrington will most likely not get a call-up to the NHL this year because of their defensive depth. Seth Brisendine

December 2012 – Harrington has been named to the Team Canada final roster for the 2013 WJC. He has had a solid season as captain of the London Knights, with nine points in 33 games while playing a steady defensive game. While there is definitely a place in the NHL for players of Harrington's character and iattributes, he is unlikely to be a fantasty factor. Rich Dillon

 May 2012 – Harrington is a rugged two-way blue liner that gives opponents fits to play against. He is a very mobile skater with a great deal of strength and quite difficult to hit off his skates. He is proficient in making the outlet pass, carrying the puck, and owns a good slapshot as well. Harrington plays a defensive style first, but if he can join the rush more and kick in his offensive potential, there is no question he’ll be in Pens line-up in a few seasons. He is currently enjoying a run at the 2012 OHL Championship and possibly the Memorial Cup too. Russ Bitely

Fantasy Outlook: C

Harrington will likely never be a top-pairing NHL defenseman, but with increased opportunity he's recently shown his chops as a dependable bottom pairing. Still young, he may carve out a decent career niche minimally as this. 

Footage:

Scott Harrington dropping the gloves with Garrett Mitchell:

{youtube}IRxF6QSDaHY{/youtube}

Buy the latest Fantasy Prospects Report here.

{source}
<iframe src="http://www.eliteprospects.com/iframe_player_stats_small.php?player=39653" width="100%" height="550" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" ></iframe>
{/source}