So, has Faksa's play stayed consistent since he was OK under Ruff/Hitch, or have coaches changed where/how he plays? His early play included aggressive wingers who played the boards, but with the arrival of Comeau (and departure of Roussel), Faksa's lines took a less aggressive posture in the offensive zone. Did Faksa's offense come from great defense in the offensive zone - and by moving that defense to the defensive zone, did that bring Faksa's weaknesses to the forefront?
By pigeonholing Faksa into a defensive zone, defense only Center, has the team put him in a position where he can't succeed? Or is the aging curve just hitting him incredibly early (especially given his back story of playing a physical game with men in Czechia as a teenager)?
I think what we're seeing is a combination of usage and deployment converging during his peak years to create the wrong first impression. Was Devin Shore a 30-pt center without Hitchcock gifting him tons of unearned minutes? Were Vernon Fiddler and Shawn Horcoff 29-point players without Ruff's system? Looking at Faksa's game, nothing's really changed (except last season with his wrist injury). He has a strong shot for a meat and poatoes center, and battles along the wall, but he's not a passer, not a good mover, and has never been good at creating space for himself or his team. I think the Ruff years saw a center whose defensive game was built on momentum going the other way: like what we see in the first clip where he's able to leverage his physicality in the offensive zone.
It's possible he's got more to give, especially under DeBoer's system, but I feel like we'd be wasting the opportunity to put Benn back at center, or see what Johnston or Dellandrea (or even Karlstrom) have in his place.
That contract, though. Pay is higher than Cap Hit, so you can't really move it to a team on the cheap. Somebody picking him up would need to either love his game (come on Flyers) or the Stars would need to retain so much that it would really just be opening up a slot - and they can't really afford that with the team Cap situation.
Best case for me would be to do 4th line minutes. Put him with Studenic and maybe Kiviranta - those two have games that match Roussel and Pitlick from his best season. Maybe even someone like Damiani if he gets a call. Faksa on a line that doesn't have bulldog forecheckers is just going to give you more of the same, which you've demonstrated, is remarkably bad.
Great article David. I love the in depth breakdown. Keep up the good work!
-Jeff
Thanks Jeff!
So, has Faksa's play stayed consistent since he was OK under Ruff/Hitch, or have coaches changed where/how he plays? His early play included aggressive wingers who played the boards, but with the arrival of Comeau (and departure of Roussel), Faksa's lines took a less aggressive posture in the offensive zone. Did Faksa's offense come from great defense in the offensive zone - and by moving that defense to the defensive zone, did that bring Faksa's weaknesses to the forefront?
By pigeonholing Faksa into a defensive zone, defense only Center, has the team put him in a position where he can't succeed? Or is the aging curve just hitting him incredibly early (especially given his back story of playing a physical game with men in Czechia as a teenager)?
Mark!
I think what we're seeing is a combination of usage and deployment converging during his peak years to create the wrong first impression. Was Devin Shore a 30-pt center without Hitchcock gifting him tons of unearned minutes? Were Vernon Fiddler and Shawn Horcoff 29-point players without Ruff's system? Looking at Faksa's game, nothing's really changed (except last season with his wrist injury). He has a strong shot for a meat and poatoes center, and battles along the wall, but he's not a passer, not a good mover, and has never been good at creating space for himself or his team. I think the Ruff years saw a center whose defensive game was built on momentum going the other way: like what we see in the first clip where he's able to leverage his physicality in the offensive zone.
It's possible he's got more to give, especially under DeBoer's system, but I feel like we'd be wasting the opportunity to put Benn back at center, or see what Johnston or Dellandrea (or even Karlstrom) have in his place.
That contract, though. Pay is higher than Cap Hit, so you can't really move it to a team on the cheap. Somebody picking him up would need to either love his game (come on Flyers) or the Stars would need to retain so much that it would really just be opening up a slot - and they can't really afford that with the team Cap situation.
Best case for me would be to do 4th line minutes. Put him with Studenic and maybe Kiviranta - those two have games that match Roussel and Pitlick from his best season. Maybe even someone like Damiani if he gets a call. Faksa on a line that doesn't have bulldog forecheckers is just going to give you more of the same, which you've demonstrated, is remarkably bad.
Great Analysis . Well Done
Thanks Denis! Keep reading. I'll keep writing.
Re-reading this fantastic article after today’s waste of money makes me even sadder. Still a great article though.