Blues Veteran Faulk Unfazed by Trade Rumors

Defenseman says he's been traded before, so he's not wasting time worrying about it.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk is taking a pragmatic approach to the ongoing trade rumors surrounding him and his struggling team. With the Blues well out of playoff contention, Faulk acknowledges that he and several teammates could be on the move before the March 6 trade deadline. However, the 33-year-old veteran says he's learned not to dwell on trade speculation, having been traded once before in his career.

Why it matters

The Blues are in full rebuild mode, sitting last in the Central Division and 14 points out of a playoff spot. As one of the team's top trade assets, Faulk's calm and experienced perspective provides a window into how veteran players handle the uncertainty of the NHL trade deadline.

The details

Faulk, who has 11 goals and 30 points this season, is in the final year of a contract with a $6.5 million cap hit. As one of the top defensemen potentially available, he would be a valuable addition to any contending team. Despite the swirling rumors, Faulk says he's learned not to waste time worrying about something he can't control, having been traded once before in his career.

  • The NHL trade deadline is on March 6, 2026.

The players

Justin Faulk

A 33-year-old defenseman for the St. Louis Blues who is one of the team's top trade assets ahead of the deadline.

Doug Armstrong

The general manager of the St. Louis Blues, who is likely to be active ahead of the trade deadline as the team looks to rebuild.

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What they’re saying

“Well, I've been traded, so it makes it a lot easier. It doesn't really matter. There's nothing I can do. Everyone knows what luxuries I might be provided in my contract at times, but it's out of my control in a sense. It always is. Whether there's chatter or not, I don't like to think too much about it because it can happen or it might not, so what's the point of wasting your time with it?”

— Justin Faulk, Defenseman (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

“Obviously, we're not happy again with the situation we're in. We know what's going on. Use (the break) to reset a little bit, get back. These are hard-working days, definitely not easy, but there's no stress so you can really work.”

— Justin Faulk, Defenseman (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

What’s next

The Blues return to game action against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, February 27, 2026, as the team looks to build momentum ahead of the trade deadline.

The takeaway

Veteran players like Justin Faulk have learned to take trade rumors in stride, focusing on their play on the ice rather than worrying about factors outside their control. As the Blues look to rebuild, Faulk's calm and experienced perspective provides a model for how players can navigate the uncertainty of the trade deadline.