At the 2019 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators had just missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive season. Prior to the 2018-19 season, the Senators traded captain and Norris Trophy defenseman Erik Karlsson.
The Karlsson trade was a gut punch for Sens fans. Karlsoon was a beloved player and was not only one of the best players in Senators history, but in the entire league.
At the 2019 draft, the Senators needed to find their next cornerstone defenseman for years to come to play alongside with the then rising Thomas Chabot. Had one team not steal this one defenseman at the draft, the Senators would've had their next core defenseman for years to come.
Stars stole Thomas Harley one pick before Senators
The Senators had the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft. Thomas Harley was falling late in the first round and would've been a steady fit for the Senators. Instead, the Dallas Stars drafted Harley with the 18th overall pick. The Senators then selected defenseman Lassi Thomson with the next selection at 19.
Since the Senators drafted Thomson, he's played in just 18 NHL games and recorded five assists. Thomson has yet to play an NHL game since the 2022-23 season. While Thomson has been a bust of a first-round draft pick for the Senators, that can't be said for Harley.
After first getting recognition by the NHL during the 2023 playoffs, Harley has been a staple for the Stars. In the 2023-24 season, Harley recorded a 47-point season, but the 2024-25 season was even better for Harley.
Harley recorded a career-high 50-point season and set career-highs with 16 goals, 34 assists and a +32 rating. Harley's +32 rating was the second highest on the Stars roster.
This past February, Harley got the chance to represent Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Harley helped contribute to Team Canada winning the championship against Team USA.
At 23 years old, Harley has turned into one of the fastest rising defensemen in the NHL. With the pace that Harley is going, he has potential to be an elite defenseman for years to come.
Harley's eight points in the 2025 playoffs is tied for the third most on the Stars alongside Wyatt Johnston. In Game 3 against the Winnipeg Jets yesterday, Harley recorded a goal and an assist to help the Stars earn a 5-2 win and take a 2-1 series lead. Harley has averaged over 27 minutes of ice time during the playoffs as well for the Stars.
Thomas Harley fires it home to restore the Stars' lead! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/jyX8dUo4cT
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 11, 2025
While Harley has turned into a big first-round draft steal, it makes the Senators selecting Thomson with the very next pick look worse. The Senators had a chance to get a future elite defenseman, but had it stolen right from them.