The Dallas Stars are off to a steady start in the 2025-26 season. They hold a 6-3-1 record and sit fourth in the Central Division. After losing four straight games earlier this month, the team has bounced back with three wins in a row. Their most recent victory came on Tuesday night, a 1-0 win over the Washington Capitals, where Jake Oettinger stopped all 24 shots for his first shutout of the season.
The Stars have been playing disciplined hockey, combining strong goaltending with timely scoring. Wyatt Johnston leads the team with six goals, while Mikko Rantanen has adjusted well, posting 12 points in 10 games. The power play has been effective at 31.4%, ranking among the best in the league, though the penalty kill remains a weak spot at 71%.
Could Thomas Harley’s New Contract Create Future Cap Problems for Dallas?
Away from their recent success on the ice, the Stars’ latest contract move has sparked plenty of discussion around the league. On Tuesday, defenseman Thomas Harley signed an eight-year, $84.6 million contract extension, which carries a cap hit of $10.587 million per season.
Harley has quickly grown into an important part of the Stars’ defense. The 24-year-old has one goal and seven assists in ten games this season while averaging more than 22 minutes per game. His composure and puck movement have helped strengthen the team at both ends of the ice.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman first reported details of the agreement, saying it was “8 x $10.5-ish.” Marco D’Amico of RG Media shared his thoughts on X, writing,
“Thomas Harley is a fantastic D-man for the Stars and has become almost as important as Heiskanen for them. 8 X 10.5 would be one heck of a contract for him, but then the question becomes: Do they have money for a Jason Robertson extension without hurting their roster?”
Jason Robertson’s deal expires after the 2025-26 season, and he will likely command a raise. Keeping both players under the salary cap may be difficult, but for now, the Stars appear focused on maintaining their core and building on their strong start.
Harley said he was happy to have the deal done and to remain with the team long term.
“It’s a relief to just get it done and be able to play the rest of this year out, and to know I’m here for the next nine years is fantastic,” he told NHL.com. “The culture that’s been built here, it’s one of respect and kindness and winning. The group we have here is great and it’s going to continue to be great, so I’m excited to be here.”
The new deal confirms Dallas’s confidence in Harley as a key piece of their future, but it could make managing future contracts more challenging.
