Blues Top-Four Defender Out For Rest Of Season

Although they haven't been officially eliminated as of yet, the season appears to definitely be over for St. Louis Blues defenceman Justin Faulk.

Drew Bannister said Justin Faulk (upper-body) is week-to-week, and likely out for the remainder of the regular season.

Jake Neighbours (upper-body) remains day-to-day.
— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) April 9, 2024

Faulk has been a big contributor on the St. Louis blueline, playing 22 minutes a night, though he missed 18 games with a lower-body injury earlier in the season, and, with his week-to-week status due to an upper-body injury, per interim head coach Drew Banninster, he'll likely be out for the final four games of the regular season as well.

The 13-year veteran last played on Saturday night, but left that game early after suffering some type of injury after instigating a fight with San Jose Sharks forward Luke Kunin, in sticking up for a teammate.

Justin Faulk being a good neighbour to Jake Neighbours, if you will. 👊 He fights San Jose's Luke Kunin after Kunin throws Neighbours into the boards. #stlblues

Watch on the Bally Sports app, brought to you by @BommaritoAuto. pic.twitter.com/YxUlFBV0wD
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) April 6, 2024

Faulk's offensive production declined significantly this season, with just two goals and 30 points compared to last year's 11 goals and 50 points while playing all 82 games.

The right-shot D is smack dab in the middle of a seven-year, $45.5 million contract with a $6.5 million cap hit. Safe to say that he underperformed on the value of that deal this season.

As for the Blues, they head into Wednesday night's game five points back of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference but with only four games to play. With or without Faulk, their chances of making the playoffs are very slim indeed.