I am typing this in real time, the Dallas Stars are on the clock as we speak. The pick is in. I will give you my snap judgment the moment the name is called. Harley…Thomas.

That is right. With the 18th pick in the NHL Draft, the Dallas Stars said their pick’s name incorrectly. Poor kid. Thomas Harley is a 17-year-old left-handed defenseman hailing from Syracuse, NY. At 6’3 and 195 lbs, Harley brings size to a somewhat thin prospect defense core. He also is a confident skater, with a keen eye for creating scoring opportunities. On the downside, he tends to lack the competitive toughness needed at the NHL level which directly affects his decision making. As far as similarities, I would say Thomas Harley is comparable to a Jake Gardiner. Only bigger. While he is a large force to be reckoned with, he skates effortlessly. Don’t sleep on his offense either. In 68 games with the Mississauga, Steelheads Harley put up 58 points. His 47 assists further prove his ability to create scoring chances. His 11 goals shows he is not afraid to take his shot when he sees a window.

For those new to the sport, or just reading for support. The NHL Draft is unique. Much like the MLB, most of these names we hear tonight will not see the NHL level for some time. For example, Miro Heiskanen was a number 3 overall pick in 2017. We only saw him this past season. Things are all part of a bigger plan for most picks outside the top 3. I say that to say this. While I am unfamiliar with Thomas Harley and his body of work, this is a pick for the future. Thomas is a big guy with with a big ice presence. If he makes it to the NHL level he could become a magnificent counterpart to Heiskanen. He will more than likely pack on at least another 10 to 15 pounds of muscle making him similar to an Esa Lindell type defender. Lindell just signed a 6 year, $34.8 million dollar extension. I would say that is quite a decent comparison.

I am a retired softball legend and an unrestricted beer league hockey free agent. I swing sticks for fun on the ice and links and am constantly feeding my YouTube addiction. I am forever grateful to the state of Minnesota for their hockey team in 1994 and more grateful for the Dallas Stars Stanley Cup in 1999.