Former NHL defenseman Jordan Schmaltz sparked a lively debate this week when he floated five potential trade destinations for Justin Faulk in a tweet that quickly made the rounds among Blues fans and league watchers.
#NHL Teams that could use Justin Faulk’s services
— Jordan Schmaltz (@J_Swish24) January 30, 2026
(Assuming money in and money out makes sense)
#1 Man Jose. Signed thru 2027. This would be a nice piece of business for Mike Grier in many ways. Solidify the backend this year and next and if shit hits the fan by March 2027 you…
In his post, Schmaltz listed San Jose, Minnesota, Utah, Edmonton, Carolina as teams that could make sense for the veteran Blues defenseman. A month ago, some of those destinations would’ve sounded like pure fantasy. But the NHL standings have shifted dramatically:
• San Jose is 27‑21‑4 and just one point out of a wild card spot.
• Utah sits in the first wild card position at 28‑22‑4.
• Minnesota is dangerous holding the second playoff spot in the Central division.
• Edmonton could certainly use veteran defensive help for a deep playoff run.
• Carolina is always lurking for value and a reunion would be picture perfect.
At this point, St. Louis doesn’t need to move Faulk. He’s a leader, a minutes‑eater, and a stabilizer. But with multiple Western Conference teams ahead of schedule and looking for a veteran defender for the playoffs, the market around him has become more interesting, and more realistic, than it was even a few weeks ago.
The Realistic Landing Spots — Ranked and Explained
Utah Mammoth
Utah stands out as the most complete fit for Justin Faulk. Their rapid rise from expansion‑year curiosity to legitimate playoff contender has shifted their entire organizational mindset; they’re no longer stockpiling assets but actively building a foundation.
Faulk would give them a veteran top‑four right‑shot defenseman, a stabilizing presence for a young roster, a contract that neatly bridges their early franchise years, and a playoff‑tested voice in a room still shaping its identity. With ample cap space, a deep pick pool, and clear motivation to accelerate their timeline, Utah profiles as the team most likely to pursue him aggressively. A realistic return could be a second‑round pick and a B‑level prospect, or potentially a young roster player with upside.
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota, meanwhile, represents the cleanest pure hockey fit if they decide to push. A Brodin–Faulk pairing would instantly become one of the strongest shutdown duos in the conference while giving them an incredibly deep top-four defensive core. Should a player go down due to injury, Faulk is a trusted veteran who is available to help step up and pick up the pieces.
His puck‑moving style meshes perfectly with the Wild’s defensive structure. Given Faulk’s South St. Paul roots, a homecoming angle another layer of plausibility. The only real questions are whether Minnesota chooses to prioritize scoring over defense, and if St. Louis wants to deal Faulk to an in-division rival. Minnesota could use help at both forward and defense but can only afford to address one meaningfully. A mid‑round pick and a young depth forward seems like the most realistic return unless salary has to move.
San Jose Sharks
San Jose is the surprise entrant in this conversation. Once projected to be a basement team, still rebuilding with their young stars, the Sharks have instead become competitive, structured, and ahead of schedule. Adding Faulk would solidify their top four, provide a veteran presence for a playoff push, and offer long‑term stability as their young core matures. A few months ago, the idea of Faulk waiving for San Jose would have seemed far‑fetched; today, with meaningful games on the schedule and a defined role waiting for him, it’s far more plausible. The return would likely be a second‑round pick or a young roster player with term.
Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton could be the most desperate fit. No team on this list needs a stabilizing right‑shot defenseman more than the Oilers, but their cap situation is a maze. Any deal would require retention, a contract going back the other way, and a pick or prospect to make the math worthwhile. They could certainly be a fit for Faulk; they just can’t easily afford him. If St. Louis were willing to retain salary the return could rise to a first‑round pick as soon as the 2027 draft could be in the cards.
Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina is the nostalgia fit. The Hurricanes know Faulk well, and he knows their system and expectations. But this is an organization that prefers rentals, inexpensive depth, and analytics‑friendly value plays. Faulk’s term and cap hit make him a difficult squeeze unless they move money out, which complicates the picture. A mid‑round pick and a depth piece is the most realistic framework, though the cap gymnastics make it unlikely.
In the end, the Faulk market has shifted dramatically with Utah and San Jose unexpectedly entering the playoff mix. The Blues don’t need to move him, but if they choose to explore it, the list of realistic destinations is longer and more compelling than it was even a few weeks ago. As of today, Utah, Minnesota, and San Jose stand out as the most plausible landing spots. If St. Louis wants futures and flexibility, the opportunity is there. If they prefer to keep a veteran anchor on the blue line, that remains a perfectly defensible choice.