The Detroit Red Wings are back in action after the Olympic break, sitting comfortably in a playoff spot. With a little over a week until the March 6 trade deadline, the team is weighing options to bolster their roster for a strong playoff push. General Manager Steve Yzerman has his sights set on a second-line center and a right-shot defenseman, but he's targeting players with term left on their contracts, which narrows the field.
Enter Justin Faulk from the St. Louis Blues-a right-shot defenseman locked in until the end of the 2026-27 season. He's a prime candidate to fill Detroit's needs.
According to The Athletic's Max Bultman and Harman Dayal, a deal for Faulk could involve Detroit sending a 2026 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and prospects William Wallinder and Landon Miller to St. Louis.
Faulk is arguably the top defender available, and while he might not match the caliber of Rasmus Andersson, who moved earlier this season, his contract's extra year could make him just as valuable. For Detroit, with a well-stocked prospect pool, parting with a late first-round pick and a promising young player like Wallinder isn't too steep a price.
Wallinder, a towering defenseman, is impressing in the AHL, boasting a +15 plus/minus with one goal and 13 assists in 49 games. Meanwhile, goalie prospect Miller is making strides in the OHL, with an 18-11-2 record.
Detroit missed out on Andersson, who was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, and while Quinn Hughes showed interest in a move to Detroit, a lack of contract extension scuttled that opportunity. Now, Faulk appears to be the best fit for the Red Wings, but his value is expected to rise amid competition.
Faulk is having a standout season with the Blues, tallying 30 points in 57 games and on track for his best output since 2022-23. His defensive metrics are solid, with a 2.54 expected goals against per 60 minutes in five-on-five play, ranking him just behind Detroit's Seider and Edvinsson.
The Red Wings are eager to end their playoff drought, which stretches back to 2016. With the division heating up, securing a player like Faulk could be the key to making a deep postseason run, though it might come with a hefty price tag.