For years, under Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings have approached the NHL trade deadline like a team still waiting for approval to believe. Detroit often sold. Detroit often stood pat. And even when the standings suggested a real push was possible, the help often didn’t arrive. At first, it looked like 2026 would be more of the same.
Steve Yzerman’s early move—bringing back David Perron for a conditional draft pick—felt fine, but familiar. Useful depth, sure. But not the kind of addition that moves the needle, or changes the room’s energy despite being a proven leader.
Then, right at the buzzer, the 3 p.m. EST deadline, Yzerman finally delivered the home run swing, well, at least an RBI double: Detroit landed Justin Faulk, a legitimate top-four, right-shot defenseman who can play heavy minutes and stabilize the backend for a real playoff push. Yzerman moved a first-round pick, a third-round pick, and Justin Holl to St. Louis for Faulk. Yes, please.
Last season, Detroit found itself in a similar position and added Craig Smith, a move that didn’t match what players were hoping for internally. After the year, captain Dylan Larkin didn’t hide the disappointment, saying the locker room felt deflated because the group expected a meaningful addition to help boost them into the postseason picture. This year, those types of moves finally came to fruition.
The Red Wings finally make a blockbuster move at the NHL Trade Deadline
Before the Faulk blockbuster, the Red Wings traded forward Elmer Söderblom to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a third-round pick—a key piece of business that helped shape Detroit’s deadline portfolio.
When you slot Perron into a bottom-six role and Faulk onto the second pairing, Detroit’s lineup becomes more stable immediately. It alleviates pressure on the top pairing of Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson.
It helps the team in front of John Gibson, who benefits when Detroit can reduce chaos shifts and defend in layers
. It creates a more trustworthy partner for Ben Chiarot, who can be paired with Faulk
. It also helps shelter Axel Sandin Pellikka, who can continue developing in a more appropriate third-pair role as Detroit pushes toward its first playoff berth in nearly a decade.
Faulk is more than just a minute-eating, right-handed shot. At 33 years old, he’s averaging over 22 minutes a night, with 11 goals and 21 assists (32 points) in 61 games for St. Louis this season.
Deadlines aren’t just about transactions. They’re messages to the team. For the first time in a long time, management finally sent a positive message to the locker room, one that says we believe we are a playoff team.
After years of selling and standing pat, the Red Wings chose to be buyers.