The Detroit Red Wings are officially back to business following the Olympic break. While the team is in control of a playoff spot, they will have over a week to decide what reinforcements they can bring in for their push. They will have until March 6 to make trades to try and bring in a difference maker.
It's no secret that General Manager Steve Yzerman is looking for a second-line center and a right-shot defenseman for the final stretch of the season. But, Yzerman is only looking for players who fill those roles who have term remaining on their contracts, so that does limit their options.
One player who does fit the bill is Justin Faulk of the St. Louis Blues, who is a right-shot defenseman and is under contract until the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.
The Athletic's Max Bultman and Harman Dayal made their pitches for perfect matches between players and teams. For the Red Wings, Bultman and Dayal had the Red Wings acquiring Faulk in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, left-handed defenseman prospect William Wallinder and goalie prospect Landon Miller.
The Athletic projects what a Red Wings trade for Justin Faulk could cost
"Faulk is likely the best defender left on the market, so acquiring him won’t be cheap. And while Faulk isn’t quite at the level of another top-four defender moved this season, Rasmus Andersson, the extra year term of he carries could make his price similar. For a Red Wings team with a stocked cupboard, though, that shouldn’t be too big a problem. Detroit can part with its first-round pick this year, knowing that pick could easily fall in the 20s, plus an NHL-ready prospect in William Wallinder, a highly mobile 6-4 defender. They can also add a future second-rounder plus a depth prospect in net to round out the deal," write Bultman and Dayal.
The Red Wings were in the running for defenseman earlier this season. Quinn Hughes reportedly had a desire to accept a trade to Detroit, but the Red Wings were apprehensive without having a contract extension in place. The Red Wings, as Bultman and Dayal mention, missed out on Rasmus Andersson, who was traded from the Calgary Flames to the Vegas Golden Kinights. The Red Wings' best option to find a right-handed defenseman is Faulk, but given that he will be the top defender available, that price is only going to increase.
Faulk is having a productive year with the Blues, as he has 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) through 57 games. He is on pace to have his highest points total since the 2022-23 season (50 points through 82 games. Additionally, Bultman and Dayal point out that Faulk has a 2.54 expected goals against per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which would rank third on the team behind Seider and Simon Edvinsson.
As for the prospects going the other way, Wallinder is a big defenseman who is having a strong season in the AHL for the Red Wings. In 49 games played, Wallinder has one goal and 13 assists to his credit while posting a +15 plus/minus rating. Miller, a 2024 fourth-round draft pick, has primarily played in the OHL for the Soo Greyhounds. This season, Miller has an 18-11-2 record, a 2.87 goals allowed average, and a .888 save percentage through 31 games.
The Red Wings haven't been to the postseason since 2016 and have more than decent odds of ending that drought. But with the competition being tough in the division, the Red Wings will have to pay up to ensure they can land a difference maker on the trade block. Faulk fits the bill for what they are looking for, but given the expected bidding war, it could be pricey.