Stars sign Harley to 8-year, $84.7M extension

The Dallas Stars signed defenseman Thomas Harley to an eight-year contract extension that carries a $10.59-million cap hit, the team announced Tuesday night.

Harley has eight points in nine games to start the season. He notched a career-high 16 goals and 50 points in 78 contests last campaign and finished seventh in Norris Trophy voting. Harley's new cap hit will make him the fourth highest-paid defenseman in the NHL next season.

Harley added 14 points in 18 playoff games while averaging 25:58 minutes per game. He ranked second to Mikko Rantanen in team scoring, and led the Stars in ice time. Only Edmonton Oilers blue-liner Evan Bouchard played more per game in the postseason among skaters who advanced past the first round.

"Thomas has proven to be one of the top defensemen in our league, and his ability to step up in Miro Heiskanen's absence was an important part of our team maintaining its pace throughout last season," Stars general manager Jim Nill said. "We're looking forward to seeing him anchor our blue line alongside Miro for many years to come."

The 24-year-old featured for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off as an injury replacement. He played two games at the event, both against the United States. Harley tallied an assist and played 21:59 in the tournament final.

Harley was set to become a restricted free agent in July. He's in the final season of a two-year pact signed in September 2024 that has a $4-million cap hit.

Harley will be the Stars' highest-paid defenseman in 2025-26, surpassing Miro Heiskanen's $8.45-million average annual value. Rantanen has Dallas' highest cap hit at $12 million.