This past season, the Dallas Stars saw the arrival of one Thomas Harley. So did the rest of the world. From stepping up and playing a bunch of minutes after an injury to Miro Heiskanen, to filling in for Team Canada when they had their injury problems too back in February.

Harley has proven himself as an invaluable part of the Stars’ d core. An offensive defenseman who isn’t afraid to shoot. This guy is going to be a top priority to maintain next summer. He also dedicated late 2025, and the postseason to playing a cleaner, defensive game.

Minutes muncher

When Miro Heiskanen went down, nobody on the roster did more to step up than Harley. In Heiskanen’s absence, Harley became the number one defenseman. Keeping the Stars on track for second in the central. Hence home ice advantage against the second hardest team to play against in the central division; Colorado Avalanche.

Averaging between 20-30 minutes a night for several games in Heiskanen’s absence, Harley never let up.

Provides much needed goal scoring

While Heiskanen is a facilitator on the blue line, Harley likes to shoot more often. Every team wants goal scorers on their team. It’s Harley’s wrist shot that leaves opposing goalies trembling when he shoots high glove, or blocker side.

Goal scoring in the playoffs is the biggest problem the Stars have along with physicality. While team toughness is another discussion, Harley has shown he is as reliable at goal scoring in the playoffs as anybody else is in the lineup. The President’s trophy winning Winnipeg Jets found this out during round two.

Making it hard to move him

In a salary cap world only one percent of players stay with one NHL team for their entire career. With Jason Robertson’s future still in the air, the Stars will likely have to move on from one of them next year. With his playoff performances combined with regular season play, the edge would go to Harley. If Stars’ general manager Jim Nill has to choose one over the other in this business.

Photo credit: ourquadcities.com

Harley’s play during the Four Nations Faceoff back in February. Much like he did in Dallas, Harley filled in for Team Canada. Not only by occupying an empty roster spot, but eating up that time on ice.

Featured photo: clutchpoints.com

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