{"id":239274,"date":"2025-09-19T15:59:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T15:59:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/239274\/"},"modified":"2025-09-19T15:59:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T15:59:11","slug":"radek-faksa-back-home-where-he-belongs-with-stars-after-year-away-in-st-louis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/239274\/","title":{"rendered":"Radek Faksa back home where he belongs with Stars after year away in St. Louis"},"content":{"rendered":"

FRISCO \u2014 Leaving Dallas was never in the plans for Radek Faksa and his family.<\/p>\n

The depth forward was drafted and developed by the Stars<\/a> organization. While the Czech Republic is his home, Texas had been as well since he was drafted 13th overall in the first round in 2012.<\/p>\n

That 2012-13 season, he started playing down in Cedar Park. He had been a consistent member of Dallas\u2019 roster since the 2015-16 season.<\/p>\n

But after over a decade in the Stars organization, Faksa and his family were blindsided<\/a>. The Stars traded the depth forward to St. Louis last offseason for future considerations. Entering the final year of a five-year deal worth $3.25 annually, the Stars couldn\u2019t afford him \u2014 or at least weren\u2019t willing to pay that rate at the time for a depth forward.<\/p>\n

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\u201cObviously, it was really emotional to leave Dallas because we spent so much time here,\u201d Faksa said Thursday at the first on-ice day of Stars training camp. \u201cI spent like a third of my life here. It\u2019s like my second home here. It was tough for the whole family to move. Both of our kids were born here, so it was tough to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

Faksa and his family learned on July 1 that they\u2019d be returning to their longtime home after a year away, as Stars GM Jim Nill signed Faksa to a three-year deal worth $2 million annually<\/a>. At a cheaper price and a longer term, it was a deal that worked for both parties.<\/p>\n

Faksa had a successful year in St. Louis, appearing in 70 games and scoring five goals and 15 assists. He helped the Blues make a late push to earn a playoff spot and take No. 1-seed Winnipeg to seven games.<\/p>\n

\u201cHockey-wise, I had a great time in St. Louis,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was something new for me. I never played anywhere else. It was a great experience for me. I have nothing bad to say about St. Louis. But I\u2019m happy to be back.\u201d<\/p>\n

But throughout his year away, there were times the Stars had second thoughts about their decision<\/p>\n

Faksa is a skilled two-way forward with strong defensive instincts. He played meaningful minutes for Dallas on the penalty kill and his size at 6-3, 215 pounds helped him play a physical game that was missing for the Stars much of last year. He was also one of the team\u2019s top performers at the face-off dot, winning 54.4% of the time his last year in Dallas. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think he\u2019s kind of maybe one guy that we\u2019ve been missing at times,\u201d Stars forward Tyler Seguin said. \u201cYou probably would\u2019ve loved to have a Faksa last year at different times. So, great to have him back. It\u2019s pretty much like he was just here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Faksa\u2019s style of play fits in well with the system new head coach Glen Gulutzan plans to install in Dallas. Gulutzan is seeking a grittier, more physical style of play<\/a>. Bringing in Faksa and free agent Nathan Bastian from New Jersey will help supplement those efforts on the fourth line.<\/p>\n

Faksa could be key in helping the Stars get over the hump, and he hopes this skilled Stars roster, which has added new pieces like Mikko Rantanen since his departure, can help him reach his goals of winning the Stanley Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s kind of why I wanted to come back because I know how good the team is and how close we were in the last five, six years,\u201d Faksa said. \u201cThat\u2019s really important for me because I\u2019m not a young player anymore. That\u2019s the main reason why I want to be back.\u201d<\/p>\n

He and his family have had to start over somewhat, finding a new place to live. They never expected they\u2019d be brought back to Dallas when the trade with St. Louis happened.<\/p>\n

But now that he\u2019s back on the Comerica Center ice for training camp \u2014 a place he\u2019s been so many times before \u2014 he and the Stars organization believe he\u2019s back where he belongs.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, I feel like I never left,\u201d Faksa said.<\/p>\n

On X\/Twitter:<\/b> @Lassimak<\/a><\/p>\n

Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here<\/b><\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n