Dallas Stars bracing for salary cap drama as Thomas Harley's rise puts pressure on Miro Heiskanen's deal

The Dallas Stars begin the 2025-26 season with their championship window wide open, but behind the scenes, one of the biggest storylines is already heating up. Young defenceman Thomas Harley is entering a pivotal stage of his career, and with a new contract on the horizon, general manager Jim Nill must balance rewarding him while managing a roster already stretched to the salary cap.

Harley has quietly become one of the most reliable young blueliners in the NHL. Since his breakout in 2023-24, he has produced back-to-back 15-goal seasons while logging heavy minutes at both ends of the ice. That level of growth makes him more than just a promising player - he is now a cornerstone.

Thomas Harley extension talks put pressure on Miro Heiskanen's contract structure

The challenge for Dallas is that they already have Miro Heiskanen locked in as their highest-paid defenceman. Heiskanen's eight-year deal carries an average annual value of $8.45 million, and according to reports, the Stars want to use that figure as an "internal cap" for future blueliners.

But Harley's continued rise could push that limit. As Sportsnet's Jeff Marek said on the Empty Netters podcast,

"Dallas wants to keep Miro Heiskanen as the highest-paid defenceman, but Thomas Harley is pushing that limit with his play."

It's a classic cap-era dilemma. Lock Harley up long-term now and risk breaking internal structure, or gamble on a shorter deal that might cost more down the road. The Stars have been here before, most recently with Jason Robertson, and their patience nearly led to extended trade speculation.

As NHL.com noted in its offseason coverage, Dallas is already tight against the cap after multiple long-term commitments to Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Jake Oettinger. Adding Harley's extension will only increase that pressure.

Still, Harley's case is strong. He has shown the poise of a veteran, producing offense, killing penalties, and stepping up when Heiskanen has missed time. As Sportsnet emphasized, his growth has been undeniable and puts him in line for a contract that could rival top defenders around the league.

Personally, I think Harley has earned a long-term deal even if it means stretching Dallas's internal budget. The Stars are a Cup contender now, and securing their defensive core is the surest way to stay there.