The Boston Bruins find themselves in a familiar spot - in the thick of the playoff race and eyeing ways to sharpen their roster ahead of the NHL trade deadline on March 6. They've been solid through the season, doing enough to stay in the postseason picture, but with the Eastern Conference heating up, Boston may need a little extra push to solidify their spot and make a deeper run come spring.
One name that’s surfaced on the Bruins’ radar is veteran defenseman Justin Faulk of the St. Louis Blues. And for good reason.
Faulk brings more than just name recognition. At 35, he’s a three-time NHL All-Star with a well-rounded game that could slot in nicely on Boston’s blue line.
He’s known for his defensive reliability, but he’s no stranger to contributing offensively either. This season, he’s put up 11 goals and 19 assists for 30 points over 57 games - solid production for a blueliner, especially one who’s not just hanging around the offensive zone.
What makes Faulk even more appealing is the contract situation. He’s in the sixth year of a seven-year, $45.5 million deal with the Blues, meaning any team acquiring him - Boston included - would be getting him for more than just a rental.
That’s two playoff runs, not one. For a Bruins team that’s been knocking on the door but hasn’t quite broken through in recent years, that kind of long-view addition could be a difference-maker.
Of course, there are some logistical hurdles. Faulk holds a 15-team no-trade list, so he’ll have some say in where he goes.
The Blues are reportedly open to moving him, but the right deal has to be there - and Faulk has to be on board. Boston is reportedly one of the teams in the mix, along with Toronto and Dallas.
For the Bruins, adding Faulk would mean injecting even more veteran presence into a defense corps that already prides itself on toughness and structure. He’s the type of player who could eat up key minutes, bring leadership to the room, and chip in on both ends of the ice. And come playoff time, those are the guys you lean on.
Boston’s front office has a history of making smart, targeted moves at the deadline. If they believe this group has a legitimate shot at making noise in the postseason - and their current position suggests they do - then a move for someone like Faulk makes a lot of sense.
It’s not about blowing things up or making a splash for the sake of headlines. It’s about finding the right piece to complete the puzzle.
As the deadline approaches, keep an eye on Boston. They’re in the hunt, and they know it. A move like this could be the kind that tips the scales come April.