The St. Louis Blues acquired Justin Faulk from the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday and promptly signed the defenseman to a seven-year, $45.5 million contract.
The Blues also secured a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft from the Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Joel Edmundson, prospect Dominik Bokk and a seventh-round pick in the 2021 draft.
Faulk, whose new deal carries an average annual value of $6.5 million, had been the subject of trade speculation as he entered the final season of a six-year contract with Carolina. Faulk had been linked in a trade with Anaheim earlier this month, however that potential deal reportedly fell through as the sides failed to come to an agreement on a contract extension.
“We are excited to add Justin to our core group for the next eight years,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. “He’s a top-four defenseman who averages over 23 minutes a game and we are confident he will be a strong addition to our club.”
Faulk collected 11 goals, 24 assists and a plus-9 rating in 82 regular-season games with the Hurricanes in 2018-19. The 27-year-old scored a goal and set up seven others in 15 playoff games to help Carolina advance to the Eastern Conference final.
A three-time All-Star, Faulk has recorded 85 goals and 173 assists since being selected by the Hurricanes in the second round of the 2010 NHL Draft.
Edmundson, 26, scored two goals and set up nine others in 64 games last season for the Blues. He added seven more points (one goal, six assists) in 22 postseason games to help St. Louis capture its first Stanley Cup title in franchise history.
Edmundson collected 13 goals, 39 assists and a plus-18 rating in 269 career games since being selected by the Blues in the second round of the 2011 NHL Draft.
Bokk, a 19-year-old winger, has yet to make his NHL debut after being selected 25th overall in the 2018 draft.
–Field Level Media
