With Andrew Copp out for the season, the Red Wings suddenly have a pressing need at center. This comes on the heels of Michael Rasmussen’s injury, which resulted from a questionable hit by Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras.
While several options are available, Detroit could target a quality yet affordable center as the NHL trade deadline approaches. One intriguing player, who may be moved by or before March 7th, isn’t making many trade bait lists yet—but he’s a well-rounded forward who can bring physicality and strong face-off skills to the team’s lower lines.
While they won’t contribute much offensively, their game is built on strong defensive play. Additionally, acquiring them wouldn’t require a significant investment—general manager Steve Yzerman would likely only need to part with a mid-tier draft pick and a prospect at most.
The Red Wings must seriously consider trading for Radek Faksa
What makes Radek Faksa an appealing option isn’t just his defensive reliability—it’s also his experience playing for competitive teams down the stretch. Having spent most of his career with the Dallas Stars before being acquired by the St. Louis Blues, Faksa has remained a dependable presence on the ice.
However, with the Blues facing an uncertain future and unlikely to contend anytime soon, veteran players like Faksa—who can provide value to playoff-bound or fringe playoff teams—could be in higher demand as the March 7th trade deadline approaches.
As noted, Faksa isn’t a major offensive contributor, with just 10 points (three goals) in 47 games this season. He’s a true bottom-six forward, averaging 13:04 of ice time per game. Still, his style of play is exactly what teams need for a deep postseason run—something he proved during his time in Dallas.
Radek Faksa does a lot of things well that the Red Wings must improve on
The Red Wings have won about 50.6 percent of their faceoffs this season—a respectable mark, but adding a player like Faksa could give them even more of an edge. So far, Faksa has dominated at the dot, winning an impressive 56.0 percent of his faceoffs, totaling 276 wins. That puts him just ahead of Dylan Larkin in faceoff win percentage heading into Thursday night.
Detroit has registered 1,044 hits this season, and while Faksa isn’t known as one of the league’s most physical players, he still delivers nearly two hits per game, with 84 in 47 contests. That’s another area where the Wings could use a boost before the trade deadline.
Overall, Faksa won’t be a game-changer in the offensive zone and provides little value in terms of scoring. However, his ability to win faceoffs and create possession opportunities makes him a useful asset. Defensively, he’s a strong presence capable of shutting down plays—exactly the type of player who can make an impact in key moments.