Radek Faksa has made a return to the Dallas Stars, signing a three-year, $6 million contract after a season with the St. Louis Blues. The 31-year-old center, originally drafted by the Stars in 2012, is expected to play a crucial role as a depth player, centering the fourth line and bolstering the team's penalty killing unit. Although he scored just five goals and ten assists last season, his defensive prowess has earned him four Frank J. Selke Trophy nominations throughout his career.

Faksa is noted for his grit and ability to perform in high-pressure situations, having scored a pivotal Game 7 goal during the Stars' playoff run in 2024. His tenacity and experience are viewed as instrumental for the Stars as they prepare for the upcoming 2025-26 season under new head coach Glen Gulutzan. This reunion, after a season away, signifies a strategic move by the Stars to enhance their fourth-line effectiveness while ensuring strong defensive play.

Glen Gulutzan steps into the role of head coach for the Dallas Stars, shifting from his previous position with the Edmonton Oilers, where he contributed to the team's postseason success against Dallas. In his introductory press conference, Gulutzan emphasized the Stars' strong performance, having accumulated over 100 points, and highlighted a focus on enhancing the team's physicality—a key challenge noted during past playoff encounters.

He aims to adjust the Stars' forecheck strategies to better equip the team for the rigors of playoff hockey, seeking incremental improvements rather than sweeping changes. With players like Jamie Benn and Lian Bichsel returning, along with new acquisition Radek Faksa, the Stars are poised to adopt a more physical style of play. Gulutzan's coaching staff will see some shifts as well, with specific roles assigned to assistants to optimize team performance.

The Dallas Stars have officially re-signed center Radek Faksa to a three-year contract, valued at $2 million annually. This move marks a return for Faksa, who spent his entire NHL career with the Stars until his trade to the St. Louis Blues last offseason.

Faksa, known for his strong face-off skills and penalty killing ability, is expected to add depth to the Stars' roster, likely centering their fourth line. General manager Jim Nill expressed enthusiasm about bringing back Faksa, noting his valuable experience and mentorship capabilities for younger players on the team.

The Detroit Red Wings are reportedly interested in acquiring defenseman K’Andre Miller from the New York Rangers. Discussions have taken place, although no immediate deals are expected. The Rangers favor receiving an NHL player in return and may find it challenging to accommodate both Miller and Vladislav Gavrikov, should he enter free agency, without further salary adjustments.

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues are in talks with center Radek Faksa, and Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas hinted at a cautious approach towards free agency, indicating a preference for shorter contracts rather than long-term ones. He also mentioned the potential for trades involving players like Bryan Rust, although the asking price will be steep.

Radek Faksa clinched a dramatic 6-5 shootout victory for the St. Louis Blues against the Chicago Blackhawks. The match saw the Blues rally from behind, with notable performances from Robert Thomas, who equalized late in the third period, and Jordan Binnington, who made crucial saves. The Blackhawks initially surged ahead with goals from Alec Martinez, Teuvo Teravainen, and Ilya Mikheyev, but could not maintain their lead.

Despite their efforts, including Ryan Donato's contributions, the Blues' offense proved too much as they secured only their second win in eight games. The game highlighted Radek Faksa's shootout prowess and the Blues' resilience, especially after outshooting the Blackhawks significantly in the second period.