NHL Trade Rumors: Red Wings Linked To 3 Defenseman

The Detroit Red Wings are sitting pretty in the standings, but Max Bultman of The Athletic thinks the biggest deadline question is still staring them in the face. 

Detroit’s top pair of Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson looks legit, and Ben Chiarot has been solid, but the blue line depth behind that gets a lot shakier once the games tighten up. 

With the March 6 trade deadline approaching fast, the Red Wings should add an experienced No. 4 or 5 defenseman who can handle heavy pressure if the playoffs turn nasty.

Justin Faulk gives the Red Wings a true veteran stabilizer

Bultman’s cleanest plug and play option is Justin Faulk, a proven right shot who is still logging big minutes on a struggling St. Louis Blues team. The attraction for Detroit is obvious. 

Faulk can move the puck, run a steady shift in tight games, and either slide into the second pair or strengthen the third pair while giving Axel Sandin Pellikka a little more breathing room. 

Justin Faulk is loudly carrying the Blues entire offense on his back this season. If the #stlblues do decide to move him, there should be multiple suitors

pic.twitter.com/iwFWPuJBJq

— Thomas Welch (@twelcher15) December 23, 2025

That last part matters because Sandin Pellikka has been used in more sheltered minutes, and asking a 20 year old to live in a physical second pair role in playoff hockey is a different job entirely. A Faulk type addition lets Detroit keep developing the rookie while raising the floor of the lineup.

This season, Faulk has recorded an even 10 goals and 10 assists across 41 games played. He's averaging 22:44 time on ice, has blocked 80 shots, and holds a -3 plus/minus rating. He hasn't scored more than 10 goals in a full season since the 2022-23 season.

Connor Murphy and Brett Kulak fit the lower cost deadline lane

Bultman also tied Connor Murphy and Brett Kulak to the Red Wings as the kind of experienced rentals that do not require Detroit to jump into a headline grabbing bidding war. 

Murphy brings a heavy, defensive profile from the Chicago Blackhawks, the type of presence that can calm things down when opponents are leaning on you shift after shift. Kulak offers a steadier middle pair option from the Pittsburgh Penguins, with the versatility to play tough minutes without needing to be the star, which has been seen in the last two Oilers' playoff runs.

Man I think Brett Kulak’s capability and contribution to the Oilers is not being properly recognized by some. That dude is a rock solid NHL defensemen who helped a team to the Stanley Cup twice. Never missed a game.

I’m fine with the trade but give him his due. He was good.

— bcurlock (@bcurlock) December 13, 2025

The bigger name on the market might be Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, but Bultman’s logic is that Detroit is not likely to chase an expensive pure rental when the roster already has a strong core and the team can be smarter about value.

Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images