The Dallas Stars are extending restricted free agent defenseman Thomas Harley to an eight-year contract price $87 million. His new contract can have an annual common worth of $10.5875 million. And who does he need to thank for that quantity? Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils.
Bear in mind, Luke Hughes held out for many of coaching camp as a restricted free agent in search of a brand new contract. He was trying to receives a commission like a prime defenseman within the NHL—just like Jeremy Swayman final 12 months with the Boston Bruins. Although Luke Hughes and Swayman have been various kinds of RFAs, Swayman was trying to reset the marketplace for his friends.
Whereas Swayman may not have reset the goalie market when it comes to the best AAV, he did reset the marketplace for goalies who signed extensions as soon as he did. Bear in mind, Swayman signed an eight-year, $66 million contract with an AAV of $8.250 million on October sixth, 2024, and shortly after, his friends adopted.
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The likes of Linus Ullmark ($8.250 million over 4 years), Jake Oettinger ($8.250 million over eight years), Thatcher Demko ($8.5 million over three years), and, in fact, Igor Shesterkin ($11.5 million over eight years). The Swayman deal then arrange Dustin Wolf ($7.5 million over seven years) with the Calgary Flames, Lukas Dostal ($6.5 million over 5 years) with the Anaheim Geese, and Filip Gustavsson ($6.8 million over 5 years) with the Minnesota Wild.
So, on reflection, he did assist the fellows behind him, simply as Luke Hughes did. Once he signed his seven-year deal at $9 million per season, the Anaheim Geese signed Jackson Lacombe to an eight-year contract with a $9 million AAV the next day. Which meant Lane Huston of the Montreal Canadiens would get $10 million, proper?
“Not so quick, my pal,” as Lee Corso stated so on Faculty Gameday so famously for a few years till his retirement final season. Hutson ended up signing an eight-year, $8.85 million-per-season take care of the Canadiens, staying inside their construction. Nonetheless, he may have gotten extra, however his basic supervisor satisfied him and confirmed him what Connor McDavid did with the Edmonton Oilers; thus, Hutson took much less.
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However for those who appeared on the numbers, there was a justification for Huston to get greater than each Hughes and Lacombe primarily based on factors and the way he was utilized within the Canadiens system. As with Harley, the market primarily based on his play and level manufacturing stated he was a $10 million defenseman. Not solely was he offensively gifted, his protection has vastly improved.
That’s one thing you may say about one other $10.5 million defenseman in Evan Bouchard with the Edmonton Oilers. Bear in mind, Bouchard signed a four-year, $10.5 million extension with the Oilers over the summer season. Whereas his offensive numbers are wonderful, Harley has a greater total sport.
Feels like Thomas Harley is about to get Evan Bouchard cash, which is sensible since they’re statistical twins (be at liberty to duke it out within the replies Stars followers and Oilers followers; simply don’t anticipate me to care sufficient to hitch in). pic.twitter.com/yFVolfLPDB
— David Castillo (@DavidCastilloAC) October 28, 2025
So the market was set earlier than this Thomas Harley take care of the Stars was finalized. Sure, the Stars and Harley have been all the time engaged on getting a brand new extension in place. Stars GM Jim Nill knew there was time, however he additionally knew the value for Harley was going up. Harley was seen as a part of the Stars’ future, so that they made certain to lock him up now to make this deal age properly.
As we are able to see, it’s changing into a younger man’s league. The gamers who’re popping out of their entry-level offers and changing into RFAs are ensuring to assist the gamers behind them. Jeremy Swayman did it final 12 months, Luke Hughes did it this 12 months. Anticipate salaries to maintain rising because the wage cap will increase.
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