BREAKING NEWS: St. Louis Blues Should Roll The Dice And Keep Radek Faksa with….

In what has already been a turbulent offseason for the St. Louis Blues, one decision stands out as both risky and potentially rewarding: holding on to veteran forward Radek Faksa. After acquiring Faksa as part of a midseason move meant to bolster the bottom-six depth and defensive presence, speculation has swirled that the Blues may look to move on. But based on recent trends and the team’s current roster makeup, the smart play might actually be to roll the dice and keep him.

Defensive Value That Doesn’t Show Up on the Scoresheet

While Faksa’s offensive numbers have been modest — tallying just 6 goals and 11 assists this past season — his true value lies in the shutdown role. The 31-year-old Czech center consistently drew top defensive assignments and finished with some of the team’s best penalty-killing metrics. His faceoff win rate hovered above 53%, and his ability to neutralize opposing top lines gave players like Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou more offensive freedom.

The Blues finished 19th in goals against last season, but that number dropped significantly in games Faksa centered the third line — particularly in the final 15 games when the team made a late push for a Wild Card spot.

A Cap Hit That Makes Sense (For Now)

With a cap hit of $3.25 million and one year remaining on his deal, Faksa is far from an albatross contract. If the Blues want to stay competitive while retooling, his deal offers a manageable middle ground between development and playoff contention. The team has younger centers like Zachary Bolduc and Nikita Alexandrov in the pipeline, but both are still developing, and thrusting them into heavy defensive roles could backfire.

Craig Berube May Be Gone, But the Identity Faksa Brings Isn’t

Even with a new coaching staff expected to bring a more modern, speed-focused system to St. Louis, there’s still value in having a hard-nosed, positionally sound veteran anchoring the bottom six. Faksa brings grit, discipline, and a playoff-tested mentality — all elements that can’t be fully replicated by younger players just yet.

Blues Fans Split, But Logic Favors Stability

While a portion of the fan base argues for giving younger talent more ice time, General Manager Doug Armstrong must weigh development against the importance of maintaining a defensive identity. With trade value for players like Faksa likely to be limited to a late-round pick or depth prospect, the Blues may be better off keeping him as a stabilizing force during this transition phase.

Final Word: Keep Him – With Eyes Wide Open

If the Blues are serious about competing in the tough Central Division and providing a reliable bridge to the next generation of talent, retaining Radek Faksa for the 2025–26 campaign makes more sense than it seems at first glance. He may not score flashy goals, but his consistent, responsible play is exactly what this team needs as it navigates the middle ground between rebuild and resurgence.