Welcome to NHL Rumours! As we get closer to free agency opening, rumours will become more common as teams look to set their rosters for the 2025-26 season. Today’s rumour looks at the St. Louis Blues, who may be putting a defenceman back on their trade board.
NHL Rumours
Justin Faulk Back on the St. Louis Trade Board
Rumour: Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet believes the Blues may be looking to trade Justin Faulk this summer. Kypreos explains he saw Faulk as a trade candidate before the Blues turned their season around and made the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Now that it is the off-season, Kypreos believes Faulk may be back on the trade board as the Blues look to build their roster for next season. Furthermore, Kypreos thinks Blues general manager Doug Armstrong is trying to set up future general manager Alexander Steen for quick success when he becomes the next general manager.
Analysis: This rumour seems to go along with the theme of other Blues rumours: Armstrong is looking to shed salary. We heard this rumour around last season’s trade deadline and heard it again a week or so ago when the Brayden Schenn trade rumour surfaced. Armstrong seems to want to do two things at once. He wants to shed some cap while also improving the roster for 2025-26 and beyond.
Faulk’s Current Contract
Faulk has two seasons left on the contract he signed after being traded to the Blues in 2019. His contract carries a $6.5 million cap hit each of the next two seasons.
However, while Faulk did have a full no-trade clause for the first part of the contract, the no-trade changes to a 15-team no-trade list in July. Instead of needing Faulk to accept any trade, the Blues do have a little more flexibility, making a trade easier.
Is There a Market for Faulk?
Faulk is coming off a season in which he played in multiple roles for the Blues. He spent time on the power play and penalty kill and shuffled to different defensive pairings. The play of defencemen like Colton Parayko, Philip Broberg, and Cam Fowler created a situation in which Faulk did not have to be “the guy” for the Blue Note. As someone who did not have to be “the guy,” Faulk provided some productive play for a Blues team that returned to the playoffs.
There will likely be teams willing to take on Faulk for the last two seasons of his contract. However, at 33 years old, the Blues should not expect a significant return for him. In addition, they will probably have to retain some of Faulk’s contract each season. If they do retain salary, it will be no more than 50% of the season’s cap hit. At the most, the Blues will spend $3.25 on Faulk.
Benefits of a Faulk Trade
The money they save by trading Faulk, in addition to the money saved due to Torey Krug likely being placed back on long-term injured reserve, will go a long way in helping the Blues find ways to improve their roster.
Furthermore, a Faulk trade would also open a roster spot for another defenceman. Young defencemen like Tyler Tucker and Matthew Kessel would have more opportunities to enter the lineup. In addition, prospect Theo Lindstein will be ready for the NHL in a few seasons. Still, if he moves up the system sooner than expected, the Blues may have an opening for him to join the roster.
Will Armstrong Prioritize a Faulk Trade?
Armstrong has always been committed to bettering the roster, whether that is making them a contender or building draft capital for future seasons. Furthermore, Armstrong wants to leave the team in a good spot for when Steen takes over. Those two goals imply we may see a trade of some kind this season. Will it be Faulk? That is still unknown. Armstrong will explore the trade board and see what makes the most sense for the team moving forward.
Main Photo: Jeff Le- Imagn Images
The post NHL Rumours: Justin Faulk Back on the St. Louis Trade Board appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.