3 prospects to watch for at Dallas Stars developmental camp
By John Grux
The Dallas Stars 2021 developmental camp opens Friday, Sept. 10 at the team’s practice facility in Frisco, Texas. 24 players will be in attendance but the general public will not due to COVID mitigation protocols. We will rely on the on-site media and coaches to monitor the performances of Stars prospects.
Of all the prospects in Frisco, Blackout Dallas has underlined three we’re most interested to watch.
1. Thomas Harley, Defense
It is not a question of if Thomas Harley will be skating with the Dallas Stars in 2021-22, but when.
A quick look at Harley’s AHL tape (below) shows why he’s a highly-touted prospect in the Stars system. Harley is imposing at 6-foot-3, but glides on the ice with ease. It was common to see him carry the puck from end to end while skating with AHL-Texas last season. The Syracuse, NY native is an above-average stickhandler that is adept to seeking offensive opportunities along the blue line.
Harley led all AHL defenseman with 8 goals and finished 2nd in points (25) over 38 games last season.
Harley’s path the to Dallas Stars narrowed when the team signed Ryan Suter this offseason. However, Suter’s addition is a positive because it allows the Stars to progress Harley at a more favorable pace. Harley is only 20 and still has some work do in preparing for the physicality featured at the NHL-level. For now, Harley is one injury to a Stars defenseman away from a call up.
Harley remains a big part of the Stars future, especially if the team decides to move on from John Klingberg. The potential also exists for Harley to be the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade. Such would seem unlikely, but the Stars’ offseason moves show they are pushing forward in a “win now” mode.