D Thomas Harley - Mississauga Steelheads, OHL (2019, 18th, DAL)

serp

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Jan 17, 2016
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Thinking about it now i guess i'm not that suprised he survived this round of cuts. The defense is already down to 9 with 2 pre-season games to go . No reason to cut anyone else there so only forwards and the two extra goalies got send down .

Now if he someone gets through the next and presumably last wave of cuts ( only 4-5 players to go to reach 23 or 22 ) it would mean he makes the team for at least 9 games. He wasn't practising with fixed pairing tonight may mean he doesn't make but it we'll have to wait and see. Making it to the last round of cuts already is pretty impressive . He's also played in 4 of the Stars 5 pre-season games.

I'm not expecting he makes it but hey he's still there.
 

kabidjan18

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Apr 20, 2015
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Sekera is a better player than Oleksiak , Fedun and Polak. He's also a major injury risk but while he's healthy he has a spot on the lineup i would think.

If Harley stays one of Fedun or Oleksiak has to go at some point. Polak has his use as a PK specialist . The other two don't really have a niche role like that.
I'm aware that that is the popular opinion. I personally disagree.
 

Kcb12345

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Jun 6, 2017
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Crazy if he makes the NHL right away as an august born. Had him 2nd ranked D in that draft, but making it right away in the NHL would be above my optimistic expectations.

He probably could play in the NHL this season honestly, but because he is 18 it's very unlikely. Would be a very un-Jim Nill like thing to do. Would not be surprised at all though if he makes it next season. He's a lot closer to NHL ready than I thought
 

serp

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Primary assist on a Faksa tip .



I really want him to get into NHL games and see if he can play with the big boys. If he can that would allow Sekera to stabilize the third pairing and not have Oleksiak/Polak or worse Fedun have too many chances to make mistakes with the puck.
 

Kcb12345

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Jun 6, 2017
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Another really impressive game and this time he played in all situations (PK for the first time this preseason). It would be a shame if he doesn't get at least one NHL game in this season.
 

serp

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Jan 17, 2016
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It would also be extra sweet for Harley to make the team so the Stars beat writer for the Athletic Sean Shapiro has to eat his words for this article he for some reason felt he needed to write a couple of days ago .



:nod:
 
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Dr Jan Itor

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Dec 10, 2009
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Well first round CHL-ers usually do. Don't think there are too many that never got an ELC at least not in recent memory.

Right. You have to sign them within the year or they re-enter the draft I think. Obviously teams aren't going to the let that happen with 1st rounders unless the player just flat out refuses.
 

ElGuapo

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Nov 30, 2010
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He SHOULD make the team and see how it goes for the first nine or whatever it is. He's been one of the best players.
 

serp

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Jan 17, 2016
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Yeah if pre-season play truely determines who takes open rosterspots Harley should be on the Stars roster on opening night and Taylor Fedun either in the pressbox as #8 or in the AHL . Fedun is just not really an NHL player .

Will it happen though ? I want it to happen but i'm still not too optimistic it will. Too many oldschool hockey people around talking about how an 18 year old defenseman shouldn't play in the NHL.

I don't care if someone is 18 years old or hell 118 years old. If the player shows he can play he should regardless of his age.
 
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