Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours here at Last Word On Hockey. In this edition, we are going to take a look at the defensive side of the puck for the St. Louis Blues. More importantly, we are going to zoom in on a few players who are most likely to be moved before the March 6th trade deadline.

NHL Rumours: St. Louis Blues Are Looking to Trade Veteran Pieces

Rumour: St. Louis may move veterans Justin Faulk and Jordan Binnington before the March 6th trade deadline. 

Analysis: The defensive core for the St. Louis Blues has struggled this year. Although it is hard to paint a specific reason why, one thing that is indisputable is the age gap between the defencemen in the system. Out of four veterans on that side of the blueline, goaltender Jordan Binnington and defenceman Colton Parayko are the youngest at age 32. The next closest skater on the backend is just 26 years old.  As the team continued to drop in the standings, general manager Doug Armstrong has made his team “open for business,” according to insider Frank Seravalli.

Cam Fowler is the oldest Blues blueliner at 34 years old. Despite his age, Fowler just signed a new contract in September of 2025 to remain in St. Louis for another three years. Very few teams would be able to take on his $6.1 million contract. Furthermore, teams would also have to be on Fowler’s list of teams he will approve a trade to.

With the most senior defencemen likely staying in St. Louis, the list of trade candidates shortens slightly. There are still two other veteran Blues players from the defensive end of the ice that might have a new team by the end of the deadline.

The D-Man, Justin Faulk

Faulk is a 33 year old, right defenceman for the Blues. He has two years remaining on his contract that pays him an average annual value of $6.5 million.

One name that continues to appear on trade boards around the NHL is Justin Faulk. On his January 26th Saturday Headlines, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman reported the asking price for Faulk would be in a similar ballpark as the recent trade involving Rasmus Andersson. That trade saw a 2027 conditional first-round draft pick, a 2028 conditional second round pick (that could become a first), a proven NHL player in Zach Whitecloud, and a prospect all returned to the Calgary Flames. Quite the package, all-in-all. 

Counting this year, Justin Faulk still has two years left, taking him to a veteran age of 35. Faulk has played over 1,000 games in the NHL between St. Louis and Carolina. To date for the Blues, he has skated in 474 regular season games, scoring 56 goals and 169 assists. He currently leads all Blues defencemen in goals as the team gets closer to the Olympic Break. 

Throughout his career, he has shown he is responsible in the defensive end while being able to help teams offensively on a somewhat-regular basis. Faulk is a consistent defenceman for any team looking to round out their bottom six defensive core.

The Tender being Jordan Binnington

Age: 32
Position: Goal
Remaining Contract: Two Years; $6.0 million per year**

Binner is 32 years old. Like Faulk, he also has two years remaining on his current deal. And his salary is in Faulk’s ballpark, as well. Binnington is currently scheduled to make $6 million a year, for those next two campaigns.

Jordan Binnington was able to do what no goaltender has ever done for the St. Louis Blues. That is, win a Stanley Cup. When he retires, no one would be surprised if his number 50 hangs in the rafters of Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. After a miraculous coming of age into the memorable cup run in 2019, Binnington also went on to lead Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, just over a year ago now. The cherry on top was being selected to Team Canada’s Olympic squad this year. 

Earlier this season, Binnington was linked to the Edmonton Oilers, who were searching for answers in goal. This came to pass as the Oilers grabbed Tristan Jarry from Pittsburgh instead. When asked late last month, NHL Insider Jeremy Rutherford reported that Binnington is still available. An offer will have to be perfect for Armstrong to move such a cornerstone piece, which could ultimately lead to a deal forming in the offseason instead. 

Through all the accolades, Binnington is still only 32 years old. In nine years with St. Louis, he has played in 366 games, totaling 181 wins. Most of all, Binnington stands out in big games. Any team that needs a veteran goaltender going into the Stanley Cup Playoffs needs to have Jordan Binnington on their short list. A change of scenery may be all it takes for Binnington to return to form. 

If or When?

Starting Wednesday February 4th, the NHL undergoes a roster freeze until after the Olympic Break. When players and management return, a flurry of activity is expected from most teams. Both Armstrong and future GM Alex Steen are heavily involved in their respective Olympic National teams. Despite the growing rumblings of many rumours, the Blues have been silent. That is probably not the case much longer.

Given the inconsistencies of this season, the question can’t be ‘if’ the Blues will be making trades, but ‘when’. There are just as many offensive skaters that could be on St. Louis’ shortlist to trade, including their captain. There are only four games left for the Blues before the trade deadline passes. The question before this is all said and done may just go from “When?” to “Who’s next?”

Mandatory Credit Photo: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images