Dallas Stars: Last Year’s Grade, Next Year’s Guess: Radek Faksa

After focusing on one of the players who struggled the most last season, today’s Dallas Stars player grade is focusing on one who had a much better year: Radek Faksa.

Last year, Faksa had another great season with the Dallas Stars, and he shows no signs of slowing down yet.

Last Season

Radek Faksa’s 2017-18 Grade: A

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Faksa ended the season fifth on the team in goals and sixth in overall points. He was one of the few members of the Stars who actually managed double-digit goal totals, scoring 17 goals, including his first career hat trick in a game against the Golden Knights.

While he was one of the few guys outside of the top line to have good offensive production, it’s not even the strong suit of his play. He’s a two-way forward, and that’s where he excelled in particular last year. He led the team in plus/minus with a +21 and he was an essential part of the penalty kill last year.

Faksa’s two-way game was so impressive that it earned him love around the league, which led to him ending up seventh in Selke trophy voting. He even had two first place votes. While that is a fantastic recognition of the year he had, it’s also led to talk among fans and analysts that he’s a potential dark horse to win the Selke in the next few years, especially if he establishes himself as the second-line center the Stars desperately need.

Next Season

With Jason Spezza still a question mark and Martin Hanzal starting the season injured, Faksa has the perfect opportunity to continue to prove himself. He had a great year, but he can probably step it up even higher for next season. There’s a case to be made for him to be the second-line center in the long run. His time on ice last year shows that he can handle it, and he’s a responsible defensive player who still has the ability to produce offensively.

There’s a chance Faksa doesn’t play as well next year under Jim Montgomery, but in all likelihood, he’ll probably have an even better season as he continues to improve his game. If he does, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see him as a Selke finalist.

Stop back tomorrow to see Tyler Pitlick’s grade, but until then, what’s your personal grade for Faksa? If you think he shouldn’t be one of our A players, why not?