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Potential 2020 Off-Season Toronto Maple Leafs Center Upgrades

By Jordan Maresky

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 28: TML GM Kyle Dubas watches the young guys go through a 25 minute scrimmage. Toronto Maple Leafs hold a scrimmage for recently drafted players at the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence in Etobicoke. Canadian future Hall of Fame inductee, Hayley Wickenheiser, is in camp to help. Also, former NHLer Ryane Clowe (seen behind bench), recently named coach of Newfoundland Growlers of ECHL, new farm team of the Leafs, also works the bench. (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 28: TML GM Kyle Dubas watches the young guys go through a 25 minute scrimmage. Toronto Maple Leafs hold a scrimmage for recently drafted players at the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence in Etobicoke. Canadian future Hall of Fame inductee, Hayley Wickenheiser, is in camp to help. Also, former NHLer Ryane Clowe (seen behind bench), recently named coach of Newfoundland Growlers of ECHL, new farm team of the Leafs, also works the bench. (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – FEBRUARY 01: Radek Faksa #12 of the Dallas Stars in action against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on February 01, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. The Stars defeated the Devils 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – FEBRUARY 01: Radek Faksa #12 of the Dallas Stars in action against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on February 01, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. The Stars defeated the Devils 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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.

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