Thomas Harley's Smart Move: Helping the Stars by Taking a Shorter Deal
Photo credit: The Hockey Writers
The Dallas Stars face a crucial offseason as Thomas Harley's contract decision looms, shaping the team's salary cap future and long-term championship hopes.
The Dallas Stars are heading into an offseason that feels more like a chess match than a summer break.
Jason Robertson and Thomas Harley both need new deals, and with the salary cap slowly climbing, it's not just a matter of signing a few papers.
The Stars have to think about timing, flexibility, and how to keep their roster together without overcommitting too soon.
For Harley, the situation is especially tricky because his play has pushed him toward a payday that could rival Miro Heiskanen's contract, yet the cap space to give it to him isn't fully there.
Why a short-term deal could be the smartest move for Thomas Harley and the Dallas Stars
Harley has emerged as one of Dallas's most dependable defensemen, and his recent performance in the Four Nations Face-Off only boosted his value.
But Tyler Seguin's long contract still takes up a big portion of the payroll, and it won't be long before that deal comes off the books.
If Harley waits for that moment, he could land a much bigger deal without the team having to shuffle other contracts.
As Bryan Sweet pointed out in his analysis for Blackout Dallas:
«Harley could follow Wyatt Johnston's example and take a shorter deal now, then cash in later.»
This isn't just about money, it's about keeping the Stars competitive.
A short-term deal now gives GM Jim Nill breathing room to maintain depth and avoid cutting key pieces from the roster.
«It would show Harley's buy-in to what the Stars are building,» Sweet added.
I think that kind of patience could make Harley not just a great defenseman, but a franchise cornerstone who helped keep the team afloat in a crunch.
The payoff might be worth the wait.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 9 | 35 ANSWERS Thomas Harley's Smart Move: Helping the Stars by Taking a Shorter Deal Do you think Thomas Harley should take a short-term deal to help the Dallas Stars? | ||
| Yes | 33 | 94.3 % |
| No | 2 | 5.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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