justin faulk is at the center of St. Louis Blues deadline talk as the club positions itself to sell, even after the chaos of a Colton Parayko trade attempt falling through. As of 9: 00 a. m. ET, discussion around his availability has sharpened into one key point: St. Louis has set an explicit price and is prepared to listen with multiple teams hunting blue-line help. The urgency is rising because the deadline window is narrowing while demand for defensemen is still active.
Blues stance: a set asking price for Justin Faulk
Leading up to the trade deadline, there do not appear to be many untouchables on the Blues’ roster. Defenseman Justin Faulk has generated interest, and his price has been set publicly in a notable way.
Elliotte Friedman, NHL Insider at Sportsnet, said on NHL Tonight that St. Louis is looking for a return similar to what the Calgary Flames received for defenseman Rasmus Andersson. In that deal, the Flames acquired Zach Whitecloud, a 2027 first-round pick, a conditional 2027 second-round pick, and college prospect Abram Wiebe from the Vegas Golden Knights.
The framing is clear: the Blues are not treating this as a routine mid-tier rental conversation. They are anchoring the negotiation to a major defenseman package, and that sets a high bar for any club calling.
Why justin faulk is drawing real deadline attention
Within the Blues’ own season picture, justin faulk has stood out as one of the few bright spots. In 61 games, he has 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points. His advanced numbers cited from Natural Stat Trick include a 47. 36 CF%, 47. 91 SCF%, and a 46. 22 xG%. The same snapshot notes he has allowed 449 scoring changes and 23 high-danger goals.
In a broader performance view, he remains a capable top-four option and is signed through next season at an affordable $6. 5MM, with the capacity to quarterback a competitive team’s second power-play unit. Over the last three years, he has 17 goals and 94 points in 196 games, averaging 22: 18 of ice time. 28 of those points came with a man advantage, and he has averaged a 90. 9% on-ice save percentage at even strength.
Immediate reactions and the teams circling
Interest is being tied to specific roster needs. Several teams might be interested in adding Faulk, particularly to enhance a power play.
The Colorado Avalanche have the league’s worst power-play percentage and recently traded puck-moving blue-liner Samuel Girard to the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, with four capable right-handed defenseman on the roster, it has been characterized as more likely Colorado would seek a left-handed defenseman if anything.
The Utah Mammoth are known to be looking for an offensive-minded right-handed defenseman and were linked earlier today to Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils. If New Jersey opts to hang on to Hamilton, Utah could consider pivoting.
The New York Islanders are another team to watch. With the breakout of rookie phenom Matthew Schaefer, the club is eying the postseason, and Mathieu Darche, General Manager of the New York Islanders, is looking to reward the group. Faulk, in this framing, would be an obvious upgrade over Tony DeAngelo in New York’s second pairing.
Quick context: sellers’ posture and a market with leverage
After the Parayko trade effort fell through, the Blues are still expected to be one of the busiest teams at the deadline, with a sellers’ posture and a sense that veterans may be moved. Around the league, multiple teams are in the market for a defenseman, and the only team noted as having acquired one so far is the Edmonton Oilers in the Connor Murphy trade.
What’s next as the deadline clock runs
Next developments hinge on whether any contender meets the Blues’ high benchmark, or whether St. Louis adjusts as the deadline pressure rises. As of 9: 00 a. m. ET, the clearest known facts are these: the Blues have set a price comparable to the Rasmus Andersson return, multiple teams have identifiable needs on defense or the power play, and justin faulk remains one of the most discussed potential movers in St. Louis’ seller-driven deadline picture.
