Stars sign Thomas Harley to two-year, $8 million extension

The Dallas Stars announced Tuesday they’ve come to terms with restricted free-agent defenseman Thomas Harley on a two-year, $8 million extension. As Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli shared Lindell’s new deal carries $4 million average annual value.

Harley, 23, is coming off a career season across the board as he enjoyed a very productive 2023-24 campaign. The former 2019 first-round pick dressed in 79 games, scored 15 times, collected 47 points and averaged 21:01 of ice-time per game. He also chipped in with nine points in 19 Stanley Cup Playoff games. The native of Syracuse, NY burst onto the scene during the 2022-23 Stanley Cup Playoffs and hasn’t slowed down since. Harley ranked second among Stars’ blueliners in ice-time last season, behind only Miro Heiskanen.

With Harley re-signed and Esa Lindell extended earlier in the day, Stars’ GM Jim Nill takes care of some internal business as training camps are opening. Lindell agreed to a five-year contract worth $5.25 million AAV and takes a small pay cut to stay in Dallas long term.

Nill also brought in free-agents Matt Dumba and Ilya Lyubushkin earlier in the summer while Chris Tanev signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The savvy executive has quickly re-tooled on the fly, meanwhile the team has just Brendan Smith and Nils Lundkvist entering contract years on defense.

As for Harley, the bridge deal allows for both sides to feel each other out for another season. With an uptick in playing time and specifically more time with the first power-play unit, Harley’s numbers could potentially reach new heights. He scored 13 of his 15 goals at even strength last year which ranked him first among Stars’ defensemen.

Dallas begins their preseason schedule on Saturday when they host the St. Louis Blues. The Stars also play the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild to fill out their six-game exhibition schedule.