It’s time for some more NHL rumours. We’re just starting Labo(u)r Day weekend in North America and that means the rumours are getting more intense. Things do get a bit quiet in the summer months. However, that quiet is starting to disappear. General managers are already thinking about signing extensions for important players. Some big-ticket players are getting the headlines. However, some other players are in line for pay raises.
One team that’s trying to get a deal done for a key player is the Dallas Stars. This edition of NHL Rumours deals with contract talks for an important defenceman.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
What’s the Next Deal for a Key Dallas Stars Defenceman
Rumour: Jeff Marek appeared on the Empty Netters program and the subject of a Thomas Harley extension came up. Marek said that the Stars could use another defenceman as an internal cap for Harley.
Analysis: Dallas has constructed one of the best defensive units in the league. Stars General Manager Jim Nill has drafted well and made some important free agent signings to build this unit. The team has made the Western Conference Final three consecutive seasons. However, the pressure is on to finally get past the Edmonton Oilers and back into the Stanley Cup Final.
Harley has been a solid addition to the roster since breaking through in the 2023-24 season. He’s hit at least 15 goals in his first two full seasons with the Stars. The 24-year-old is just another gem that Nill has unearthed.
Harley currently carries a $4 million salary cap hit, but he’ll be in line for a raise with him becoming a restricted free agent on July 1. However, he can sign a contract extension at any point since he’s in the last year of his deal.
Marek added that Nill and the Stars could use one of Harley’s teammates as an internal cap number. The cap may rising, but Dallas likely wants to have some flexibility.
What It Means
Marek mentions that the Stars want to use Miro Heiskanen‘s cap number as one for Harley. Heiskanen is currently in the fifth year of an eight-year contract that sees an average cap hit of $8.45 million per season.
The Finn has become the leader on the backend, but the team values Harley and wants to compensate him. However, they want to make sure that Heiskanen probably remains the highest-paid blueline on the roster.
However, Harley is more than deserving of getting a massive extension that puts him in the same ballpark as his Finnish teammate. Harley stepped up while Heiskanen was out for a good portion of the season. He also stepped up when Team Canada faced injury problems at the Four Nations Face-Off.
Harley is in the last season of a bridge contract and it seems like he’ll cash in with this next deal. The Athletic’s Shayna Goldman delved into what Harley could get for his contract. Evolving-Hockey’s projection has a $9.53 million cap projection.
This could mean a sticking point for both sides if Dallas wants to use that internal cap. However, Harley’s value continues to grow with each game and the Stars might have to fork out more money.
Main photo by: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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