Detroit Red Wings coach Todd McLellan didn’t feel as though the club got an elite performance out of Justin Faulk in Monday’s 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames.

“I don’t know if he had his best game,” McLellan said.

At the same time, McLellan felt that this scenario was entirely understandable.

Sometimes that’s coming home,” McLellan started before stopping in mid-sentence.

“He’s not even home really yet,” the coach continued. “Coming to a new city. He walked into the locker room this morning and was lost. He said, I’m going to get lost a few times.

“I know that feeling. He had to find somewhere to live. He’s got his family arriving. There’s a lot of stuff going on, and it doesn’t matter if you’re a 12-year veteran.”

Justin Faulk joins @TysonNasher to talk about what it’s been like to join the @DetroitRedWings 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CjEViXdYys

— Sports on Prime Canada (@SportsOnPrimeCA) March 16, 2026

It’s easy to forget as a fan that those guys on the ice are also human beings. They are fathers, husbands.

In an instant, Faulk was told to grab his gear and go. He no longer belonged to the St. Louis Blues. His hockey future was with the Red Wings.

“Life sometimes gets in the way, and it’ll become easier for him once he gets settled in,” McLellan said.

Faulk made a quick transition to the Red Wings

Faulk gave credit to McLellan and his staff for not inundating him with data. They just let him be himself as he donned the Winged Wheel.

“A couple of quick video sessions,” Faulk listed his Detroit indoctrination. “Not too much, to be honest. I think the coaches are good with not trying to overwhelm a guy in that situation.”

The Red Wings think that among the advantages Faulk brings to the ice is self-awareness.

“Justin knows who he is as a player,” McLellan said. “He’s played a long time. He knows what he can get away with, both offensively and defensively.”

That may be the case, but what he’s brought to the ice so far is turning the heads of his new teammates.

“He’s going to bring his assets to our game, and there’s a calming effect when he has the puck, some more confidence on the bench,” McLellan said. “You can hear guys talk about the plays that he was making. We hope that he continues to bring that, and maybe there’s even more there.”

Detroit Defensive Pairings A Good Fit

Slotting Faulk into the second defensive tandem alongside Ben Chiarot, McLellan believes that the team has the best balance within its defensive pairings since he took over as coach.

“They both have some heaviness to them, some size,” McLellan said. “They’re willing to play physical.

“Faulker coming in and it just settles, puts everybody in the right spot right now. I thought we got exactly what we expected when we traded for him. And why not? He is a veteran player who’s played 12 years in the league.

Justin Faulk with a ROCKET backhand goal! 🚀

That’s his first with the @DetroitRedWings! pic.twitter.com/SiKGDxFiHC

— NHL (@NHL) March 11, 2026

“He’s got some physical assets with and without the puck, so he can defend well because he’s heavy and strong offensively. He’s got a real good shot and is willing to use it.

“He just knows who he is when he puts the equipment on. And that’s calming for everybody else.”

Once Faulk settles into more of a comfort zone with the Red Wings, those assets will become more noticeable.