Red Wings Acquire Justin Faulk from Blues in Trade Deadline Deal

The Detroit Red Wings have acquired defenseman Justin Faulk from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a package including forward Dmitri Buchelnikov, defenseman Justin Holl, Detroit’s first-round selection, and the San Jose Sharks’ third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. The trade was completed shortly before the NHL trade deadline on March 6, 2026.

Faulk’s Impact and Experience

Faulk, 33, brings a wealth of experience to the Red Wings, having played 1,041 regular-season NHL games with the Carolina Hurricanes and St. Louis Blues. He has accumulated 490 points (141 goals and 349 assists) and 510 penalty minutes throughout his career [1]. During the 2025-26 season with the Blues, Faulk led the team’s defensemen in goals (11), assists (21), points (32), power play goals (2), power play points (9), game-winning goals (3), and shots (116) [1].

Trade Details and Future Considerations

The Red Wings gave up significant assets to acquire Faulk, including a first-round draft pick. The trade also involved sending forward Dmitri Buchelnikov and defenseman Justin Holl to the Blues [1]. The San Jose Sharks’ 2026 third-round pick was also part of the deal [1]. Faulk’s contract carries a $6.5 million salary cap hit and has one year remaining [3].

Faulk’s Background

Born on March 20, 1992, in South St. Paul, Minnesota, Faulk was originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round (37th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft [1]. Before joining the NHL, he played for the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he helped the team win the national championship [1]. He played eight seasons with the Hurricanes before being traded to the St. Louis Blues, where he played for seven seasons [1].

Role with the Red Wings

The Red Wings expect Faulk to slot into the second defensive pairing alongside Ben Chiarot [3]. His addition addresses a key require for the team, providing a veteran presence and offensive capabilities on the blue line.