Red Wings Acquire Veteran Defenseman Faulk in Blockbuster Trade

Faulk makes strong debut for Detroit after move from St. Louis Blues

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Detroit Red Wings acquired veteran defenseman Justin Faulk from the St. Louis Blues at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, sending a 2026 first-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick, defenseman Justin Holl, and forward prospect Dmitri Buchelnikov to St. Louis. Faulk made his Red Wings debut on Sunday against the New Jersey Devils, where he had a strong game with four blocked shots, four hits, and a breakaway scoring chance.

Why it matters

The Red Wings are looking to bolster their defense and make a push for the playoffs, and the addition of the experienced Faulk should provide a boost to their blue line. The trade cost Detroit a significant package, indicating their belief that Faulk can make an immediate impact and help the team contend this season.

The details

Faulk spoke about the trade for the first time after his Red Wings debut, saying he was prepared for the move as he knew the Blues were likely to make some trades at the deadline. He noted the importance of communication on the ice, praising his new defensive partner Ben Chiarot for talking a lot, which helped Faulk adjust quickly to his new team.

  • The Red Wings acquired Faulk at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline.
  • Faulk made his Red Wings debut on Sunday, March 9, 2026 against the New Jersey Devils.

The players

Justin Faulk

A veteran defenseman who was traded from the St. Louis Blues to the Detroit Red Wings at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline.

Ben Chiarot

A Red Wings defenseman who played on the second pairing with Faulk in his Detroit debut.

Justin Holl

A Red Wings defenseman who was included in the trade package sent to the St. Louis Blues to acquire Faulk.

Dmitri Buchelnikov

A Red Wings forward prospect who was included in the trade package sent to the St. Louis Blues to acquire Faulk.

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What they’re saying

“I got the call a couple minutes after the deadline, so I was waiting all day. We knew (the Blues) were probably going to make some moves. I knew the situation I was in. So, I was prepared as much as I could be.”

— Justin Faulk (YouTube)

“A lot of communication. I played with Benny tonight, and he talks a lot, which is great. It makes the game a lot easier. It's encouraged for everybody on the ice to be chatting. So I think I'll be able to adjust pretty quick.”

— Justin Faulk (YouTube)

What’s next

The Red Wings and Faulk will look to build on his successful debut when they take the ice again on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers.

The takeaway

The Red Wings made a bold move at the trade deadline to acquire the veteran defenseman Faulk, parting with a significant package of assets to bolster their blue line and make a push for the playoffs. Faulk's strong debut suggests he should be able to make an immediate impact and help Detroit's defensive corps.