Dallas Stars may once again part ways with fan favorite Radek Faksa to help lock up Jason Robertson

The Dallas Stars need to clear salary cap space to re-sign restricted free agent Jason Robertson. As the team's top goal scorer, Robertson is expected to command over $12 million annually, matching Mikko Rantanen's recent extension. 

Per PuckPedia, Dallas carries roughly $11 million in projected cap space heading into 2026-27, and Robertson's qualifying offer alone sits at $9.3 million. To make the math work, General Manager Jim Nill must move money, and center Radek Faksa has surfaced again as a trade candidate. 

This would be the second time in two years that Nill has used Faksa as a cap pressure valve. In July 2024, Dallas shipped the Czech center to St. Louis in exchange for nothing but future considerations to save $3.25 million at the time. 

Last offseason, Faksa returned to Dallas on a three-year, $6 million contract ($2 million AAV). He played well in his first season back under head coach Glen Gulutzan, recording 17 points in 56 games and leading the team's forwards in penalty-kill time.

Trading him is difficult due to a series of unusual injuries. Faksa suffered a concussion at the Olympics in February. While recovering, a skate blade sliced the ligaments in his foot. It might require another surgery this offseason. 

Nill described it as a "unique injury" with "really no history as far as healing time." That medical uncertainty makes him harder to move on the trade market but the Stars have no option left without clearing money. 

Shedding Faksa's $2 million salary and Ilya Lyubushkin's $3.25 million contract would create the space needed to sign Robertson. He is only one year away from unrestricted free agency, and Dallas cannot risk letting him hit the open market in 2027.

Faksa has played 696 regular-season games for this franchise. If history repeats, it may cost him his spot again.

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