The Blues enter Wednesday’s action with a 19-23-8 record and are in second place in the Western Conference. While GM Doug Armstrong has been busy scouting for Team Canada’s Olympic team this season with the aforementioned roster, Armstrong could turn his full focus to reshaping his roster in St. Louis. Faulk is certainly one of his veterans who will be active on the trade market ahead of the Olympic roster freeze, and then again before the NHL trade deadline.
Faulk makes a lot of sense as a trade target for Treliving and the Maple Leafs, especially from a skill perspective, adding that he easily plays heavy minutes, averaging 22:33 per night, including on both ends of special teams, and don’t forget he has some history with Craig Berube in St. Louis. Familiarity never hurts when it comes to in-season additions, as it can be difficult to know about your new club as the intensity of games increases closer to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Faulk has offensive instincts and the hockey sense to be able to contribute as a secondary scoring option for the Leafs, and while he doesn’t make crushing hits on a regular basis, he is one of the best shot blockers in the league and has no problem eating pucks for his teammates. The fact that Faulk only has one year left on his contract is a good thing, as it’s a low-risk move that, if it doesn’t work out, the Leafs can move him before next season’s trade deadline, or simply walk away once his contract expires. Low risk and very high reward potential.
If Armstrong has no interest in withholding salary from Faulk’s remaining contract, this transaction becomes very complicated. The good news is that the Blues have two contract spots open within their organization, so the quantity over quality approach could work for Treliving if Faulk joins at full price.
Ultimately, Treliving has his work cut out for him leading up to this season’s trade deadline. The cupboards are bare, his cap situation is less than ideal and there are gaping holes in the Maple Leafs’ blueline that need to be addressed if this team wants to win games in the spring.
Faulk would be a perfect addition to Toronto’s defensive core. The only problem is that Treliving barely has anything to offer, and if a bidding war arises, the Leafs trade offer has no chance of coming out on top.
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