Justin Faulk Trade Market Heating Up as Blues Prepare for Deadline Business
The St. Louis Blues enter the run-up to the trade deadline with Justin Faulk prominently in play. With the fallout from the Colton Parayko situation leaving the roster in motion, Faulk’s combination of offense, defensive responsibility and a year left on his contract has made him a likely candidate to be moved.
Justin Faulk: where the market stands before the deadline
Faulk has been described as one of the few bright spots for the Blues this season. In 61 games this year he has recorded 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points. His longer-term production shows steady contributions: over the last three seasons he has totaled 17 goals and 94 points in 196 games, including 28 power-play points. He averages 22: 18 of ice time and is signed through next season at a $6. 5MM cap hit.
Advanced on-ice metrics available from this season put Faulk’s possession and expected-goal shares below some elite defensemen but indicative of a two-way player: a Corsi-for percentage near 47. 36%, a shot-attempt share around 47. 91%, and an expected-goals-for share roughly 46. 22%. He has also been involved in 449 scoring changes and has allowed 23 high-danger goals while deployed.
What St. Louis is asking for
The Blues have signaled they want significant value in return if they move Faulk. The asking price has been tied to the package the Calgary Flames received for a different top-four defenseman: a roster defender, a first-round pick, a conditional second-round pick and a college prospect. That benchmark sets a high bar for any suitor, though those pricing details remain part of developing trade chatter and could shift as the deadline approaches.
Context on the market for defensemen has also been affected by recent moves elsewhere. One team that addressed its blue line did so by acquiring Connor Murphy in exchange for a future second-round pick while retaining a portion of that player’s contract. That transaction has helped shape expectations for what teams might pay and what the Blues can seek in return.
Teams that could pursue Justin Faulk
Multiple clubs are searching for defensive help, which could create a competitive market for Faulk. Teams targeting a boost to their power play and second pairing have been mentioned as potential fits. Specific roster situations cited around the league include a club with a struggling power play that recently moved a puck-moving defenseman, a franchise known to be shopping for an offensive-minded right-handed defenseman that has been linked to other veteran defense options, and a team looking to add a shorter-term upgrade on the second pairing.
Those scenarios make Faulk an attractive trade candidate: he provides secondary power-play quarterbacking, can slot as a top-four option, and comes with only one year remaining on his deal. At the same time, his possession marks are not elite, and St. Louis will likely balance those factors against the level of return available.
What to watch next
- Whether the Blues move other veterans after the Parayko fallout, which could alter how aggressively they sell Faulk.
- How suitors value Faulk relative to the Flames’ benchmark trade for a comparable defender; that valuation will determine whether multiple teams engage and whether a bidding dynamic emerges.
- Any further defenseman trades around the league that change supply and demand, including retention patterns and draft-asset prices.
These items are evolving as teams adjust their rosters before the deadline. For now, Justin Faulk stands as one of the most prominent names likely to move, with his contract status, on-ice role and recent production all shaping a market that could produce a substantial return for the Blues.