{"id":509262,"date":"2026-03-18T08:31:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T08:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/509262\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T08:31:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T08:31:12","slug":"faulk-still-fitting-in-with-red-wings-detroit-hockey-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/509262\/","title":{"rendered":"Faulk Still Fitting In With Red Wings \/ Detroit Hockey Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

Detroit Red Wings coach Todd McLellan<\/a> didn\u2019t feel as though the club got an elite performance out of Justin Faulk<\/a> in Monday\u2019s 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if he had his best game,\u201d McLellan said.<\/p>\n

At the same time, McLellan felt that this scenario was entirely understandable.<\/p>\n

Sometimes that\u2019s coming home,\u201d McLellan started before stopping in mid-sentence.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not even home really yet,\u201d the coach continued. \u201cComing to a new city. He walked into the locker room this morning and was lost. He said, I\u2019m going to get lost a few times.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that feeling. He had to find somewhere to live. He\u2019s got his family arriving. There\u2019s a lot of stuff going on, and it doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re a 12-year veteran.\u201d<\/p>\n

Justin Faulk joins @TysonNasher<\/a> to talk about what it’s been like to join the @DetroitRedWings<\/a> \ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/CjEViXdYys<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sports on Prime Canada (@SportsOnPrimeCA) March 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to forget as a fan that those guys on the ice are also human beings. They are fathers, husbands.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cLife sometimes gets in the way, and it\u2019ll become easier for him once he gets settled in,\u201d McLellan said.<\/p>\n

Faulk made a quick transition to the Red Wings<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cA couple of quick video sessions,\u201d Faulk listed his Detroit<\/a> indoctrination. \u201cNot too much, to be honest. I think the coaches are good with not trying to overwhelm a guy in that situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Red Wings think that among the advantages Faulk brings to the ice is self-awareness.<\/p>\n

\u201cJustin knows who he is as a player,\u201d McLellan said. \u201cHe\u2019s played a long time. He knows what he can get away with, both offensively and defensively.\u201d<\/p>\n

That may be the case, but what he\u2019s brought to the ice so far is turning the heads of his new teammates.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to bring his assets to our game, and there\u2019s a calming effect when he has the puck, some more confidence on the bench,\u201d McLellan said. \u201cYou can hear guys talk about the plays that he was making. We hope that he continues to bring that, and maybe there\u2019s even more there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Detroit Defensive Pairings A Good Fit<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThey both have some heaviness to them, some size,\u201d McLellan said. \u201cThey\u2019re willing to play physical.<\/p>\n

\u201cFaulker 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\u2019s played 12 years in the league.<\/p>\n

Justin Faulk with a ROCKET backhand goal! \ud83d\ude80<\/p>\n

That’s his first with the @DetroitRedWings<\/a>! pic.twitter.com\/SiKGDxFiHC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NHL (@NHL) March 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s got some physical assets with and without the puck, so he can defend well because he\u2019s heavy and strong offensively. He\u2019s got a real good shot and is willing to use it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe just knows who he is when he puts the equipment on. And that\u2019s calming for everybody else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once Faulk settles into more of a comfort zone with the Red Wings, those assets will become more noticeable.<\/p>\n

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