St. Louis Blues Acquire Justin Faulk

Just when you probably thought the defending Stanley Cup champions St. Louis Blues couldn't upgrade their team because they have limited cap space they found a way to accomplish an upgrade. The Blues traded defenseman Joel Edmundson, prospect Dominik Bokk, and a 2021 seventh-round pick to the Carolina Hurricanes for All-Star defenseman Justin Faulk, and a 2020 fifth-round pick. Faulk, 27, then signed a seven-year contract extension with the Blues worth $45.5 million. Faulk had been in trade rumors recently because he was in the final year of a six-year contract. The rumors became bigger after the Hurricanes free agent signing of defenseman Jake Gardiner on September 6, 2019.

Last season, Faulk played in all 82 games with 11 goals, 24 assists, 35 points, and a plus 9. For defenseman on the Hurricanes the 35 points ranked second. Faulk helped play a big role in the Hurricanes going to the Eastern Conference Final. In the playoffs, Faulk played in 15 games with 1 goal, 7 assists, 8 points, and a plus 4. That was Faulk's first time ever in the playoffs.

Overall, Faulk has played 8 seasons in the NHL. Faulk has played in 559 games with 85 goals, 173 assists, 258 points, and a -100. Faulk has been a three-time NHL All-Star (2015, 2016, 2017). In the last 5 seasons among NHL defensemen Faulk ranks 7th in goals, 4th in powerplay goals, 4th in game winning goals, and 25th in points.

As for Joel Edmundson, he's a good return for the Hurricanes. Edmundson, 26, has shown some flashes that he can be good. Last season, Edmundson played in 64 games with 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points, and a plus 8. Overall, Edmundson has played 4 seasons in the NHL. Edmundson has played in 269 games with 13 goals, 39 assists, 52 points, and a plus 18. In the playoffs, Edmundson has played in 49 games with 5 goals, 9 assists, 14 points, and a plus 6.

Dominik Bokk, 19, was drafted by the Blues in the first-round of the 2018 NHL draft (overall no.25). Bokk can play both right wing and left wing Bokk hasn't played in the NHL yet.


What played a role into the Blues traded Edmundson for Faulk? Edmundson will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. The Blues probably wouldn't have kept Edmundson. Alex Pietrangelo the Blues captain will be an unrestricted free agent too. The Blues will want to keep Pietrangelo over Edmundson. If for whatever reason the Blues aren't able to keep Pietrangelo then Faulk is serves as insurance if he were to leave the Blues. There's a possibility of other players being gone to try to clear space too.

In the end Faulk makes the Blues team a lot better. Will the Blues end up repeating as Stanley Cup champions? The Blues have a great chance to repeat if they can stay healthy and play well. If they do they would be the first NHL team to repeat since Pittsburgh Penguins did so in 2015-2016, and 2016-2017. Today was a nice birthday for Blues general manager Doug Armstrong.

St. Louis Blues Sign Ivan Barbashev

The St. Louis Blues have signed center Ivan Barbashev to a two-year contract worth $2.95 million. Barbashev, 23, had a career year in his 3rd NHL season in 2018-2019. Barbashev played in 80 games scoring 14 goals with 12 assists, 26 points, and -4. In the Blues run to the Stanley Cup, Barbashev scored 3 goals with 3 assists, and 6 points. He led all skaters with 87 hits in the playoffs. Barbashev is a key piece to the Blues penalty kill. Last season, Barbashev averaged 1:35 minutes shorthanded.

Overall, Barbashev has played 3 seasons in the NHL. Barbashev has played in 163 games with 26 goals, 25 assists, and 51 points. In the playoffs, Barbashev has played 31 games with 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 points, and a -1.

It's great that the Blues finally got Barbashev under contract. There had been rumors that Barbashev was considering going over to play in KHL over in Russia. It's good that the Blues 4th line will all be back for the up coming season. Barbashev was on a line most of the time with Oskar Sundqvist, and Alexander Steen. For a player like Barbashev the Blues got a nice steal.