3. Radek Faksa
2019 – 20 Stats: 11 goals – 9 assists – 20 points – 66 games
Age at Start of 2020 – 21 Season: 26
Contract: 2020 RFA
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs Might Want Him:
As a former 13th overall pick, Faksa, at only 26, could still be developing his game. He has mostly been deployed as shutdown center in his career with Dallas, registering a 72.53% DZFO% this past season, tops among forwards (stats; TheAthletic).
He also only gave up 2.15 goals against/60, right in between defensive stalwarts Sean Couturier and Anze Kopitar, and if he were to come to Toronto, one might think he could tap more into his offensive side.
Plus, at 6’3”, 220 pounds, Faksa provides significant size to a Leafs team that is often criticized for lacking toughness.
A defensive first center with significant size is exactly who Toronto needs playing in their bottom six.
Why He Might Be Available:
With Dallas’ offensive struggles clear, and should the franchise not reach their postseason goals this season because of it, GM Jim Nill should prioritize adding scoring talent this offseason, and it may come at a cost of one of their star defensive-minded forwards.
Andreas Johnsson is an intriguing option to place alongside Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, and using Evolving Hockey’s contract projection, will most likely cost a few hundred thousand dollars less than Faksa, an important note due to Dallas having several important free agents that need to be re-signed.