DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings acquired veteran defenseman Justin Faulk from the St. Louis Blues and traded forward Elmer Söderblom to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday. The transactions occurred less than an hour before the league’s annual trade deadline.
Detroit is currently making a push for the postseason, holding the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference with a five-point lead over the Boston Bruins. The team ranks third in the Atlantic Division and is attempting to break a franchise-record nine-year postseason drought.
The trade for Faulk involved Detroit sending St. Louis first- and third-round draft picks. As part of the transaction, the Red Wings sent veteran defenseman Justin Holl to the Blues. It is currently unclear if Detroit was included on Faulk’s 15-team no-trade list.
Faulk recorded 11 goals and 32 points in 61 games with the Blues this season. He spent seven seasons with the St. Louis franchise, joining shortly after their 2019 Stanley Cup victory. During his tenure, he became a top-four defenseman capable of contributing at both ends of the ice.
In the trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Red Wings received a 2026 third-round draft pick in exchange for Söderblom. That pick was originally owned by the San José Sharks before being acquired by Pittsburgh.
Söderblom is a six-foot-eight Swedish winger who was selected by Detroit in the sixth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 159th overall pick that year. While he showed potential during his time with the organization, Söderblom struggled to maintain a consistent role in the NHL lineup.
The Friday morning deals follow a Thursday night trade that brought forward David Perron to the Red Wings. General manager Steve Yzerman has stated he is willing to move draft picks and prospects to acquire players who can provide immediate assistance to the roster.