Editor’s Note: This is another installment of a player-by-player analysis of the Detroit Red Wings’ roster for the 2025-26 season. The emphasis is on how each player performed and their future in the organization. Today, we discuss veteran Detroit defenseman Justin Faulk)

Age: Turned 34 on March 20.

Contract Status: One season remaining on a contract paying an average of $6.5 million per season.

Last season’s contributions: After coming over in a trade with the St. Louis Blues, Faulk put up five goals and eight points in 17 games with the Red Wings. He scored 16 goals on the season, six more than Moritz Seider who Detroit defenseman with 10 goals.

Grade: B

Past

When the Detroit Red Wings acquired veteran Justin Faulk to upgrade their defense at the trade deadline last season, it was like hiring a foreman to work on the line. Faulk, 34, is a natural leader and he’s been around the NHL long enough to know his job and everyone else’s.

Axel Sandin-Pellikka was a bit overmatched playing in the top four in his rookie season, and Faulk played like the veteran he is.

“In acquiring a guy that’s played in the top four, played in all situations, solidifies our D Corps a little bit,” Detroit GM Steve Yzerman said after the season.

His presence wasn’t enough to lift Detroit into the playoffs, but it is enough for the Red Wings to be optimistic about the team’s defense heading into the 2026-27 season. With Moritz Seider, Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johansson, and Sandin-Pellikka, they make Faulk’s defensive savvy and offensive instincts more valuable

The Red Wings have a right to be bullish on a defenseman who can contribute 15 goals, 132 blocked shots, and perhaps 100 hits.

Present

Only eight NHL defensemen scored more goals than Faulk’s 16 last season, and there’s no reason to believe he can’t score at that frequency next season.

The Minnesota native has scored 11 or more goals in seven of his 15 NHL seasons and scored 15 or more five times. The Red Wings are looking to improve their forward group (even though they are trying to trade Dylan Larkin). But they see a full season of Faulk’s offensive work helping improve their team’s scoring numbers.

“He does have a tremendous shot — he’s got some offensive instincts,” coach Todd McLellan said.

After the NHL season was over, Faulk was the captain of the U.S. National team at the World Championships. He added three more goals and five points in eight games.

“That’s what we thought we would be getting (with the trade),” McLellan said.

Future

Unless this is the season Faulk’s wheels began falling off his cart, it seems likely the Red Wings will talk to Faulk about extending his contract. We would guess the Red Wings will start talking to him next fall.

It likely will come down to term. Faulk’s at the age when players want to squeeze a third year out of the club. The Red Wings, meanwhile, will have to start thinking about making a spot available for Anton Johansson. How well Johansson is playing in Grand Rapids might have some influence on what GM Steve Yzerman does with Faulk,

Next Deal: If the Red Wings re-up Faulk, it would be in the $4.5 million to $5 million range.