If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to be more than just first-round participants this spring - if they want to actually make a run - then bolstering their blue line isn’t optional. It’s essential. And right now, there’s a name out there that checks a lot of boxes: Justin Faulk.
Faulk, currently with the St. Louis Blues, is a right-shot, top-four defenseman with the kind of skill set that fits Toronto’s needs like a glove.
He’s 33, logged over 22 minutes a night this season, and he’s still playing impactful hockey despite being on a struggling Blues team. St.
Louis has made it known they’re open for business, and Faulk is one of the more intriguing names on the board ahead of the trade deadline.
Let’s start with the contract - because in today’s NHL, that’s half the battle. Faulk is signed through next season at a $6.5 million AAV, a manageable number for a top-four D-man, especially one who plays in all situations.
He does have a 15-team no-trade list, so there’s some navigating to do there. But if Toronto’s on the green-light side of that list, this is a conversation worth having.
Faulk’s numbers this season tell a story of a player still producing in tough circumstances. He’s put up 11 goals and 12 assists in 50 games - solid numbers for a defenseman on a team near the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
But it’s not just about points. Faulk brings a heavy shot, strong puck-moving ability, and the kind of power-play presence the Leafs have been missing from the back end.
To put it into perspective: Faulk has fired 10 shots this season that registered between 90 and 100 mph, with his hardest clocking in at 96.15 mph. Compare that to Morgan Rielly - Toronto’s top offensive defenseman - whose hardest shot this season sits at 87.13 mph, and who has just six shots over 80 mph.
Faulk has 39. That kind of firepower matters, especially on a Leafs power play that’s been too perimeter-heavy and too reliant on forwards to generate point shots.
But Faulk’s value goes beyond the man advantage. He’s a reliable five-on-five defender, eats big minutes, and contributes on both sides of special teams.
He’s also familiar with Craig Berube from their time together in St. Louis - and that kind of familiarity can ease the transition, especially when you’re parachuting into a playoff race.
He’s not a bruiser in the traditional sense, but Faulk’s one of the league’s better shot blockers, and he’s not afraid to sacrifice his body to make a play. That’s the kind of grit Toronto’s defense has lacked in recent playoff exits.
And with just one year left on his deal, there’s a built-in safety net. If it doesn’t work, the Leafs can move on without long-term cap headaches.
If it does work, and Faulk is open to an extension, you’ve got a potential core piece locked in.
Now, the challenge: how do the Leafs make this work?
Toronto’s cap space is tight, and their trade assets aren’t exactly overflowing. But there are ways to get creative.
Simon Benoit, at $1.3 million AAV, could be part of a financial package. Prospect Ben Danford is someone the Blues would likely ask about - and he’d only make sense in a deal if St.
Louis retains 50% of Faulk’s salary. That kind of retention could turn Faulk into a steal: a year and a half at a discount, with the option to extend.
Calle Järnkrok could be another piece to balance the books. A package of Benoit, Danford, and Järnkrok might be enough to get the conversation going - especially if no other team is willing to part with a top defensive prospect for Faulk.
But if Armstrong refuses to retain salary, this trade becomes a lot trickier. The Blues do have two contract slots open, so a quantity-over-quality deal could be on the table if the Leafs are willing to part with multiple lower-tier assets.
Still, there’s no getting around it - Brad Treliving has a tough hill to climb. The Leafs’ prospect pool is thin, the cap situation is tight, and the demand for right-shot defensemen always spikes at the deadline. If a bidding war breaks out, Toronto’s offer may not hold up against teams with deeper systems and more flexibility.
But if the Leafs can find a way to make it work, Faulk could be a game-changer. He fills a glaring need, brings playoff experience, and adds a dimension to the back end that Toronto’s been missing for years. The question now is whether Treliving can pull the right strings - and whether the Leafs are ready to go all-in on a season that still holds promise, if the right pieces fall into place.