NHL Trade Rumor: Blues' Justin Faulk Linked to Cup Contender in the East

Justin Faulk, St. Louis Blues defenseman, carries the puck

The St. Louis Blues, although doing somewhat better of late, are still a team to watch as a seller as we get closer to the trade deadline. Veteran Justin Faulk has been a prime trade candidate this season, as the 33-year-old has only a year and a half remaining on his $6.5 million cap hit.

With two playoff runs available before the end of his deal, he should fetch a decent return for the Blues from teams looking to add a hard-nosed, all-around right-shot d-man who can log plenty of ice time.

Insider Chris Johnston has projected that the Florida Panthers would be an ideal destination for Faulk.

Chasing Faulk would represent a home-run swing rather than a mere upgrade, and who could be more incentivized to go big than the Panthers?
Florida GM Bill Zito has never shied away from an aggressive move, and he’ll be trying to arm his team with the horses needed to win a third straight Stanley Cup. Faulk looks like he’s got plenty of gas left in the tank.

Faulk has 11 goals and 21 points in 43 games this season, with 83 blocked shots. He averaging 22:39 of ice time per night.

As for the Panthers, they had a ton of success at last season's trade deadline, bringing in d-man Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks. The idea that they will likely be looking for another blueline boost this time around makes a lot of sense.

The team already lost Dmitry Kulikov to wrist/labrum surgery until at least mid-March. Jones himself is now week-to-week as well, expected to be missing until the end of the month. Further proof that injuries do happen, and the two-time defending champs will want to be prepared.