The Detroit Red Wings are finally sitting where the “Yzerplan” promised they would be: First place in the Eastern Conference. But as we approach the March 6 NHL trade deadline, a familiar anxiety is creeping in. While the top pairing of Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson has been elite, and rookie sensation Axel Sandin-Pellikka (ASP) has dazzled offensively, playoff hockey is a different beast.
Max Bultman of The Athletic reports that Detroit is actively looking to bolster the blue line. The target? St. Louis Blues veteran Justin Faulk.
Why? Because trusting a rookie like ASP with second-pairing minutes in a physical seven-game series against Florida or Toronto is a gamble Steve Yzerman might not want to take. The Wings need a right-shot stabilizer who can eat minutes and kill penalties. Faulk fits the mold perfectly, but the deal isn’t simple. With Faulk holding a full No-Trade Clause and the Blues desperate to shed salary, this negotiation is about to get interesting.
The Real Cost of Doing Business with St. Louis
Let’s be real—Steve Yzerman cannot repeat last year’s deadline. The “sitting on hands” approach infuriated the fanbase and frustrated captain Dylan Larkin. This year, with the window wide open, inactivity is not an option.
The Blues are currently spiraling with a -41 goal differential. Doug Armstrong needs out of contracts, and Faulk is the most obvious candidate to move. However, Faulk is 33 years old with a $6.5M cap hit through 2027 and controls his destiny.
Here is how this trade actually goes down.
The “Cap Dump” Scenario
If Detroit is willing to flex its financial muscle (they have roughly $14M in projected space), they could absorb Faulk’s entire $6.5M hit. In this scenario, Yzerman is doing Armstrong a massive favor. The return would likely be minimal—think a 3rd Round Pick or a swap for a bad contract. This is the “low risk” asset management play, but it eats up space Yzerman might want for a forward.
The “Retention” Scenario (Most Likely)
This is where the magic happens. If the Blues retain 25% to 50% of the salary, Faulk becomes a high-value asset at ~$3.25M. The price here jumps significantly. St. Louis will want a 2026 2nd Round Pick (since they traded theirs to Pittsburgh) and a prospect.
My Insider Take: St. Louis wants NHL-ready youth, not projects. They will ask for Albert Johansson or the giant winger Elmer Soderblom. Detroit will absolutely draw the line at their crown jewels. Marco Kasper, Nate Danielson, and obviously Sandin-Pellikka are non-starters. Yzerman won’t mortgage the next decade for a 33-year-old, even if it helps win a Cup now.
The Verdict
I expect a middle ground. Detroit takes Faulk with 25% retention (lowering the hit to ~$4.8M).
The Return: Detroit sends a 2026 2nd Round Pick and a 2027 4th Round Pick.
This gives Detroit the gritty, experienced right-shot defender they need to shelter ASP, and it gives St. Louis the draft capital to rebuild. It’s a win-win, provided Faulk waives that NTC to come play for a contender.
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