NHL Trade rumors Red Wings (NHL) The Detroit Red Wings could have a difficult decision to make on Justin Faulk before the 2026-27 season gets too far underway. The veteran defenseman is entering the final year of his seven-year, $45.5 million contract, and Detroit has a growing pool of young defensemen ready to push for bigger roles. With Dylan Larkin’s future still unsettled and a new general manager yet to be hired, Faulk’s contract could become part of a much larger roster reset. A trade would not necessarily signal a rebuild, but it could give Detroit more flexibility to shape its next core.
Could the Red Wings trade Justin Faulk this season?
Detroit Hockey Now’s Max Smith has suggested Faulk could become a trade candidate, particularly if the Red Wings fail to show meaningful progress early in the season. The timing makes sense. Faulk carries a $6.5 million annual cap hit, making him one of the more expensive pending unrestricted free agents on Detroit’s books.The Red Wings also have a reason to consider the move beyond salary. Axel Sandin-Pellikka is waiting for an opportunity, and Detroit has invested heavily in younger defensemen. Smith pointed to that depth when assessing Faulk’s future.“With Axel Sandin-Pellikka waiting in the wings, the team could afford to move off [Faulk’s] contract for a return more suited to the team’s future roster needs,” claims the writer.That does not mean Detroit should rush into a trade. Faulk remains a veteran option on the blue line, and moving him without receiving a useful replacement could weaken the roster. The bigger question is what kind of return the Red Wings could get and whether it fits their timeline.A poor start could make that decision easier. If Detroit is struggling, keeping an expensive veteran on an expiring deal becomes harder to justify, especially with younger players pushing for NHL minutes.
What happens to John Gibson and Detroit’s other pending free agents?
Faulk is not the only contract Detroit must consider. John Gibson, Andrew Copp and Daniil Tarasov are also heading toward unrestricted free agency next summer, while Alex DeBrincat remains the biggest name among the group.Gibson’s situation is different. The goaltender had a solid 2025-26 campaign, posting a 2.72 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. Detroit also has Trey Augustine developing behind him. The former Michigan State standout was recently ranked as the organization’s No. 2 prospect by The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler.Still, Augustine has only played two AHL games. Asking him to become Detroit’s starter in 2027 could be premature. A full minor-league season, followed by a backup role behind Gibson, may be the more sensible route. That could leave Tarasov as the odd man out.The Red Wings have plenty of financial room to make these calls. PuckPedia projects Detroit with more than $19 million in cap space, the most in the NHL. That flexibility would grow further if Larkin is traded.Larkin’s situation could ultimately shape everything. Detroit reportedly wants a similar player in return because it does not want a full rebuild. If the captain eventually forces the issue and the team accepts younger assets instead, that could change how management views Faulk, too.For now, Faulk’s future may depend less on his individual performance than on where Detroit believes it is heading. A slow start could turn a summer discussion into a trade deadline decision.