Will the 2022-23 season be a breakthrough campaign for Thomas Harley?

Name:Thomas Harley
Number:55
Age:20
Birthplace: Syracuse, New York
Height/Weight: 6-3, 205
2021-22 stats:One goal, three assists and four points in 34 games
Contract: Two years remaining at a cap hit of $863,333

Performance evaluation

For a 20-year-old defenseman, Harley had a marvelous season. He made his NHL regular season debut and played 34 games, averaging 13:41 in time on ice and accumulating a goal and three assists. He also played 27 games in the AHL and had 11 assists.
Harley finished seventh on the team in puck possession at 52.3% but was used sparingly and wasn't deployed in too many tough situations. All in all, it was a nice first step for the first-round pick from 2019.

Expectations for 2022-23

As experts go back and look at the impact COVID-19 had on the league, Harley might be an interesting case study. The OHL was shut down, opening the door for Harley to join the Stars in the Edmonton playoff bubble and participate in practice for almost two months while his teammates fought their way to the Stanley Cup Final (he even played one playoff game).
From there, he was able to jump up and play in the AHL in 2020-21 when rules would've forced him to participate in the OHL had COVID-19 not interfered. All of that seems to be good for Harley and his development.
Could he now be an even better NHL player as he crosses his 21st birthday? It makes sense. The departure of John Klingberg and Andrej Sekera opens up minutes on defense, and there's a good chance Harley will be able to take some of those minutes.
He's a skilled defenseman who had 57 points (18 goals, 39 assists) in 59 games for Mississauga in 2019-20, so he clearly has the ability to contribute if the coaches think he's ready. Harley played almost no special teams last season, but there's a very good chance he'll get time on the power play this year. He also will get a chance under a new system with head coach Pete DeBoer and assistant coach Alain Nasreddine. DeBoer's teams have a history of puck possession and allowing defensemen to help dictate play, which seems perfect for Harley. He'll get some competition from right-handed veteran Colin Miller, who also is a skilled defenseman, but it sure seems like Harley is set up for a breakout year.
Maybe the whole COVID-19 situation helped him get to this place.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.