2 Surprising Cuts Stars Made In Training Camp

The Dallas Stars had some impressive performances from a couple of prospects who appear to have earned themselves spots on the starting roster. These two players being Ty Dellandrea and Wyatt Johnston. With those two stepping up and interesting decisions made on defence, we look at two surprising cuts made by the Stars in training camp.

Thomas Harley

Thomas Harley is the Stars' strongest defensive prospect and he was taken 18th overall in the 2019 draft. Now 21 years old, Harley has played in 34 NHL games, all last season, and recorded one goal and four points. Earning that experience, combined with a questionable defensive group, has made the decision to send him down to start the season in the AHL a surprising one.

Colin Miller, a third pairing defenceman at best, is slated to play on the top pairing with Miro Heiskanen. Miller doesn't belong there. He only played 38 games and under 19 minutes a game last season for the Buffalo Sabres. Even though a young defenceman like Harley can play in all situations and get a ton of minutes in the AHL, there is clearly room anywhere on the Stars defence for him right now.

Marian Studenic

Marian Studenic was projected to be with the Stars this season. He got into 33 NHL games last season with the New Jersey Devils and Stars and recorded two goals and four points. The offence isn't great, but he did enough to earn a decent number of games as a 22-year-old on two different teams last season.

At worst, he could serve as a 13th or 14th forward, but seeing how two talented top forward prospects stood out in camp, Studenic got passed by.