The Dallas Stars are nonetheless mulling over contract particulars with defenseman Thomas Harley, the crew’s remaining restricted free agent. Stars normal supervisor Jim Nill isn’t phased by negotiations carrying into August, sharing with Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News that he’s assured talks will ramp up quickly and Harley will re-sign. Nill added, “We’re having wholesome communication. We’re having talks. … We’re going to get him signed. I’m not too involved.”
Harley will probably be signing the primary actual contract of his NHL profession after doing greater than sufficient to earn an NHL position on his three-year entry-level contract. Dallas chosen Harley 18th total within the 2019 NHL Draft and signed him to his first professional deal simply three months later. He returned to the Mississauga Steelheads following the draft, however discovered his means into an sudden NHL debut in the course of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs after becoming a member of Dallas’ taxi squad following the tip of Mississauga’s season.
Harley went with no level within the debut, however impressively saved up with a high-tempo Colorado Avalanche offense. He spent the subsequent three seasons discovering his footing in a top-line position with the AHL’s Texas Stars, although a pair of prolonged recollects in 2022 allowed him to play out his rookie NHL season. He logged one purpose and 4 factors in 34 video games.
The Stars have been affected person with Harley’s growth, retaining him within the minor leagues by means of 131 video games regardless of promising manufacturing to the tune of 70 factors. However the lengthy wait paid off, and Harley exploded in his first full NHL season this 12 months. The 22-year-old defenseman managed 47 factors in 79 video games (simply seven factors again from Miro Heiskanen, who led the Stars protection in scoring). What’s extra, Harley’s 15 targets have been probably the most from a Stars defender since Trevor Daley in 2015. Harley managed the spectacular scoring whereas averaging 21 minutes of ice time each night time, serving because the haymaker behind Heiskanen in Dallas’ lineup.
That breakout efficiency is probably going what makes Harley tough to increase. He entered this season with simply 40 NHL video games and 6 factors beneath his belt, then joined the heights of gamers like Noah Dobson, Zach Werenski, and Justin Faulk along with his U23 scoring. Each Dobson and Faulk continued on bridge offers with cap hits round $5M after their breakout years, although they each had longer stints within the NHL than Harley’s been afforded. The shortage of NHL video games performed might maintain Harley again from the $5M mark, although a bridge deal would give him an opportunity to show his price subsequent season.
It’s laborious to disclaim that Harley is about for an extended and fruitful profession — particularly granted his comfortable position behind Heiskanen. Dallas must put a determine to their confidence within the younger defender within the subsequent few weeks. If, and presumably when, he lastly re-signs, Harley will return to a Stars lineup that appears prefer it may very well be harmful for years to come back on the again of extremely gifted younger stars like himself.
