Update On St. Louis Blues’ Justin Faulk
Leading up to the trade deadline, there don’t appear to be many untouchables on the St. Louis Blues’ roster, if there are any. One player that has generated interest is defenseman Justin Faulk, whose price has been set.
Speaking on NHL Tonight, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Blues are looking for a return similar to the one that the Calgary Flames received for defenseman Rasmus Andersson. In that deal, the Flames acquired Zach Whitecloud, a 2027 first-round pick, a conditional 2027 second-round pick, and college prospect Abram Wiebe from the Vegas Golden Knights.
It’s unquestionably a lofty price, but it’s important to remember that Faulk remains a capable top-four option and is signed through next season at an affordable $6.5MM. Furthermore, he has the capacity to quarterback a competitive team’s second power-play unit.
Even as he enters the latter stages of his career, Faulk has remained reliable. Over the last three years, he has scored 17 goals and 94 points in 196 games, averaging 22:18 of ice time. 28 of those points came with a man advantage. He’s never managed high possession metrics with St. Louis, but has averaged a respectable 90.9% on-ice SV% at even strength.
Several teams might be interested in Faulk, particularly to enhance their power play. Surprisingly, the Colorado Avalanche have the league’s worst power-play percentage, and recently traded puck-moving blue liner Samuel Girard to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Still, with four capable right-handed defenseman on the roster, it’s far likelier the Avalanche will seek a left-handed defenseman if anything.
Meanwhile, the Utah Mammoth are known to be looking for an offensive-minded right-handed defenseman. In fact, they were linked to Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils earlier today. If the Devils opt to hang on to Hamilton for their own playoff desires, the Mammoth could consider pivoting to Faulk.
Lastly, the New York Islanders could be a team to watch on the trade market. Led by the breakout of rookie phenom Matthew Schaefer, the Islanders are eying the postseason this year, and General Manager Mathieu Darche is looking to reward his group. Considering that Faulk isn’t necessarily a long-term commitment, he would provide an obvious upgrade over Tony DeAngelo in New York’s second-pairing.
Panthers’ Cole Schwindt Out Long-Term
Coming out of the Olympics, the Florida Panthers were expecting several injured players back relatively soon, particularly to reinforce their bottom-six. Unfortunately, another void has been opened. Insider George Richards reported that forward Cole Schwindt is out long-term with a lower-body injury.
It’s the second major injury for Schwindt this season. Earlier this season, he suffered an arm fracture that caused him to miss a few months. Florida didn’t provide any specifics on Schwindt’s injury or recovery timeline. The only known information was that he suffered the injury yesterday evening against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Although Schwindt’s absence won’t create a massive hole for the Panthers, it adds another layer of uncertainty that the team has faced all season. Looking to repeat as Stanley Cup champions for the third consecutive season, Florida is in danger of missing the playoffs entirely. That situation has been greatly impacted by the numerous injuries the team has encountered this season.
Schwindt, 24, is in his first year back with the Panthers. The former third-round pick enjoyed a pair of stops with the Calgary Flames and Vegas Golden Knights before returning to Sunrise last offseason.
Outside of his pair of injuries, he’s been a decent plug-and-play forward for the Panthers this season. He’s registered three goals and one assist in 22 games while averaging 8:51 of ice time per game. Additionally, he’s recorded 25 hits in his limited role, along with a 52.0% CorsiFor% at even strength.
Jets Place Nino Niederreiter On IR; Reassign Domenic DiVincentiis
According to a team announcement, the Winnipeg Jets have placed forward Nino Niederreiter on the injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. Additionally, the Jets have reassigned netminder Domenic DiVincentiis to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose.
There’s not much known about Niederreiter’s injury. Head coach Scott Arniel told reporters a few days ago that Niederreiter was expected to miss the next few weeks, but didn’t offer any specifics. It’s assumed that Niederreiter suffered the injury while participating in the recent Olympics for Switzerland. Niederreiter finished the tournament with one goal in five games with a -3 rating.
Falling further down the lineup this season, Niederreiter hasn’t been as successful as in years past. At the time of writing, the 33-year-old winger has registered eight goals and 19 points in 55 games, averaging 13:54 of ice time. That ATOI is the lowest he’s averaged since his sophomore campaign in the 2011-12 NHL season.
Regardless, Niederreiter’s absence won’t put much of a speed bump in the Jets’ lineup. In Winnipeg’s last game, their first since the Olympics concluded, they utilized a third line of Gustav Nyquist, Jonathan Toews, and Vladislav Namestnikov en route to an overtime win.
Meanwhile, DiVincentiis returns to the AHL after serving as the team’s backup on Wednesday. He was originally recalled to serve as a practice player as typical starter Connor Hellebuyck reacclimated himself to the NHL. Hellebuyck is expected to start for the Jets tonight in his first action since an all-world Olympic performance where he won five out of five contests with a .956 SV%, including a 41-save showing against Canada in the Gold Medal game.
Canadiens Kicking Tires On Rasmus Ristolainen
Heading for their second consecutive postseason appearance, the Montreal Canadiens are looking on all fronts for trade deadline acquisitions. Earlier today, on 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the Canadiens have checked in on Rasmus Ristolainen‘s availability.
The main roadblock for any target of Montreal will be their ability to shed cap space. According to PuckPedia, the Canadiens have $1.49MM in space for the deadline, leaving them with very few options. Ristolainen, who’s making a $5.1MM salary through next season, wouldn’t be affordable at this time.
Additionally, it’s not clear where exactly Ristolainen would fit in the Canadiens’ lineup. Montreal already has Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, Mike Matheson, and Kaiden Guhle in its top four. There’s no indication that the team would be eager to move any of them in a potential trade for Ristolainen, nor should they.
That would only leave room in the bottom pairing for Ristolainen. Theoretically, the team could create a package around Alexandre Carrier ($3.75MM AAV) to make the money work, but it’s unlikely that the Philadelphia Flyers would be interested in him. Still, if Montreal wants to put its defensive corps over the top for the postseason, acquiring a blueliner like Ristolainen would certainly do that.
Injuries have limited his availability over the past few years, but he has consistently performed well when healthy. Over the last two years with Philadelphia, Ristolainen has recorded five goals and 25 points in 84 games with a -2 rating, averaging 20:25 of ice time. Additionally, he’s recorded 122 blocked shots and 118 hits over that stretch, proving his two-way effectiveness.
Regardless, given their financial and roster limitations, it’s unlikely that the Canadiens will acquire Ristolainen. Still, it doesn’t hurt to reach out about any available player leading up to the deadline, especially for a team in Montreal’s position. It is more likely that Ristolainen will end up with a team with a more significant void in their top-four, unlike the Canadiens, if he’s moved at all.
Predators’ Steven Stamkos Pushes Back On Trade Interest
Feb. 27th: Stamkos himself poured cold water on the idea of him being traded before next week’s deadline. According to Alex Daugherty of The Tennessean, Stamkos said, “I haven’t talked to (GM Barry Trotz) at all about that.” Stamkos later added that there was “zero” chance he’d be willing to waive his no-movement clause. Although things could change, Stamkos’ strong rebuttal against LeBrun’s report indicates he’ll finish the season in Nashville. There was no added reporting on whether Stamkos would reassess his view this offseason.
Feb. 26th: The Nashville Predators could soon part with their biggest free agency signing in recent memory. Centerman Steven Stamkos has emerged in trade rumors, though Nashville will have to work around the future Hall-of-Famers’ full no-movement clause. As things stand, Stamkos is only prepared to accept a trade to one of three clubs – the Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Wild, or Dallas Stars – per Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.
A reunion in Tampa Bay would certainly be the most welcome outcome. Stamkos spent 16 years with the Lightning after being drafted first overall by the club in 2008. He debuted with a 46-point season in the following season, then jumped to 51 goals and 95 points in the 2009-10 season. The season was, at the time, the third-highest scoring season from a teenager in the NHL since 2000, behind Sidney Crosby’s first two seasons in the league.
Stamkos found another gear with 60 goals and 97 points two seasons later. With that, he locked in a star’s role on top of the lineup that – with sustained scoring and an exemplary supporting cast – would lead Stamkos to back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2020 and 2021.
Stamkos left Tampa Bay three seasons later, in one of the most coveted free agency signings of the 2000s. The move hasn’t gone to plan though, with Stamkos dwindling from 81 points in his final year in Tampa Bay to only 53 points in his first season in Nashville. Meanwhile, the Lightning have yet to fill the hole left at the center position, even deploying winger Jake Guentzel in the center role amid injury troubles. A reunion would mean a return to the top role for Stamkos, and allow Brayden Point to take a step back amid a down year.
But while Tampa Bay has stayed a top offense despite their missing piece, the Wild seem a star center shy of emerging as a super-team after trading de facto top center Marco Rossi in a package for top defender Quinn Hughes. The Wild offense could offer the mix of speed and skill to elevate a 36-year-old Stamkos, who is already scoring at a 40-goal and 63-point pace this season. Stamkos would offer a heavy shot to go with playmakers Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and Mats Zuccarello.
Alternatively, Stamkos could become the next star addition to a Dallas club that acquired Mikko Rantanen ahead of the 2025 Trade Deadline. Dallas has scored the seventh-most goals in the league with Wyatt Johnston and Matt Duchene taking on top center duties. Adding another star hand to that mix could be enough to will Dallas back to the Stanley Cup, after three consecutive losses in the Western Conference Finals.
The Predators will need to be handsomely rewarded for departing with the player who was meant to surge the club back to the top of the standings. Future capital will be the focus of any deal, as Nashville looks to expedite a rebuild of their lineup on the back of a strong prospect pool. Teams will also need $8MM in available cap space to take on Stamkos’ deal with no retention. Of the three potential landing spots, only Minnesota could afford that price tag on the day of the Trade Deadline. Tampa Bay would need to clear out $5MM in cap space, while Dallas would need nearly $7MM in space.
The teams will have a bit of time to pull together the necessary funds, with LeBrun reporting that a deal is most likely to occur around the summer. Stamkos has two years remaining on his current contract. Still, those markers will set a tense market around Nashville’s star, veteran forward. That could leave a Stamkos trade as the top agenda item for whoever replaces current general manager Barry Trotz who will step down from his post at the end of the season.
Image courtesy of Haljestam-Imagn Images.
Blackhawks, Nick Foligno Discussing Trade Deadline Plans
After a surprising start, the Chicago Blackhawks have fallen out of the playoff conversation over the last few months. That being said, with six pending unrestricted free agents on the roster, they have the option to be a fairly active seller leading up to the trade deadline.
One of those pending unrestricted free agents is captain Nick Foligno, who’s approaching the final season of his NHL career if he isn’t already in it. According to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Blackhawks have held preliminary conversations with Foligno about his desires leading up to the deadline.
In Pope’s report, he included a quote from Foligno, saying, “When you’re in this situation where you’re not in the playoffs, there’s decisions the organization has to make, and then therefore there’s decisions you have to make. That’s something we’re going to go through the process of. It’s too early to say.”
At this stage of his career, complicated by his age and recent injuries, the Blackhawks would be doing Foligno a service by trading him to a contender. The 38-year-old winger has been limited to 34 games this season, recording two goals and 10 points while averaging 12:56 of ice time.
Despite playing in the middle-six of the Blackhawks’ forward corps the last two seasons, he’s been largely relegated to a bottom-six role this season. If he finds his way to a contending team by next Friday, he’ll undoubtedly continue in that role with his new club.
Theoretically, every playoff-bound team could use Foligno to some degree, especially if Chicago is willing to eat salary. He’s a veteran winger with the ability to play on both sides of the ice, a veteran of 1200+ games at the NHL level, and 68 postseason contests. While not a direct comparison, the Blackhawks trading Foligno would be similar to the Buffalo Sabres trading Kyle Okposo to the Florida Panthers at the 2024 trade deadline. Okposo only recorded two assists in 17 postseason games for the Panthers that spring, but he won the Stanley Cup for the first time in his 17-year career.
Predators’ Nick Perbix Generating Interest
Exactly one week away from the trade deadline, plenty of teams are on the prowl for defensemen, particularly those that are right-handed. Earlier today, Anthony Di Marco of the Daily Faceoff reported that teams have kicked the tires on Nashville Predators defenseman Nicklaus Perbix, and that the Predators remain open to just about anything.
Perbix, 27, signed a two-year, $5.5MM contract with Nashville last summer. His contract doesn’t include any trade protection. Before his time with the Predators, Perbix spent three years with the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring 13 goals and 63 points in 220 games with a +27 rating, averaging 15:45 of ice time.
If Nashville does move off of Perbix at the deadline, they would be selling at a low point. The Minneapolis, MN native has recorded only three goals and nine points in 55 games this season with a -14 rating. Additionally, his CorsiFor% and on-ice SV% at even strength have both hit career lowpoints.
Given that, it’s unlikely that the Predators’ asking price and other teams’ offers will match up by the deadline, unless Nashville becomes desperate to move him. Still, he’s signed through next season, and the Predators have worked their way back to the postseason conversation in their own right. Nashville could be tempted if a team were to blow them away with an offer, but, with all respect to Perbix, he doesn’t strike as a defenseman that contending teams would be willing to do that for.
Ian Mitchell Linked To Swiss League
Red Wings depth defenseman Ian Mitchell is expected to sign with Bern of Switzerland’s National League when he becomes a free agent this summer, according to Swiss outlet He Shoots He Scores.
Mitchell, 27, once looked like he’d be a long-term piece on the Blackhawks’ blue line. Drafted in the second round in 2017, he was an NCHC champion with and captained the University of Denver before turning pro in 2020.
The 6’0″ righty has yet to eclipse the career high of 39 games played he set with Chicago as a first-year pro, though. A gifted puck-mover, he could never honestly challenge for the top-four deployment and power-play stability he needed to be effective. He was shipped to the Bruins in the 2023 Taylor Hall/Nick Foligno deal before getting non-tendered last summer.
Mitchell signed a one-year, one-way, league minimum deal with Detroit in free agency. They were likely hoping he could be a valuable press-box piece and depth puck-mover if needed, but he hasn’t spent a day on Detroit’s roster this season after being cut from training camp and clearing waivers.
Mitchell had appeared in at least one NHL game in each of the last five seasons with Chicago and Boston, but that streak is in jeopardy now. His output with AHL Grand Rapids hasn’t been great, either. His 4-13–17 scoring line through 40 games ranks third among Grand Rapids defenders in scoring, but he’s usually good for at least a half a point per game in the minors. His +23 rating is on track to be a career-high, though.
Smooth-skating defenders tend to thrive in the NL, where he now looks to continue his career. SC Bern is historically one of the league’s top clubs but has had a rough go of things this decade. He will join a group that already has former NHLers Hardy Haman Aktell, Anton Lindholm, Joel Vermin, and Waltteri Merela signed through next season.
Blues Reassign Mathieu Joseph
Feb. 27: Joseph cleared waivers and has been assigned to AHL Springfield, the team announced.
Feb. 26: The Blues announced today that they’ve designated winger Mathieu Joseph as a non-roster player, signaling he’ll land on waivers this afternoon. The placement comes after St. Louis tried unsuccessfully to find a trade partner for the forward, per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period. His roster spot will go to winger Dylan Holloway, who’s coming off injured reserve for tonight’s game against the Kraken as expected.
Joseph, 29, is in the final season of the four-year, $11.8MM deal he signed with the Senators as a restricted free agent in 2022. At the time, it was an incredibly reasonable and relatively low-cost bet on a player who had 12 points in 11 games for the Sens after being acquired from the Lightning in the Nick Paul trade the prior season and had 30 points in 69 games across both teams.
The 6’1″ lefty has churned out just a shell of that production in the years since, though. The high-energy winger had just three goals in the first year of the deal. He enjoyed a brief resurgence with Ottawa in year two, recording a career-high 24 assists and 35 points in 72 games, but that was more a result of him being elevated into the Sens’ top-six out of necessity amid a rash of injuries than anything else.
Ottawa sent Joseph to St. Louis in a cap dump the following summer. In the nearly two full seasons since, he’s only notched six goals and 15 points in 99 games in a Blues uniform, largely in a third or fourth-line role. This season, he has two goals and 11 points in 39 outings and has been a frequent healthy scratch, although he also missed some time in January with an elbow infection.
If there’s any trade interest in Joseph, it’s been quieted by his $2.95MM cap hit. This close to the trade deadline, buyers aren’t going to be willing to commit that much cap space to a reclamation project. St. Louis will almost certainly be moving the pending UFA with retained salary – if at all – as he’s unlikely to get picked off the wire. However, having him clear waivers before a deal would allow the acquiring team to stash him in the minors without risking losing him on the wire again, lowering his cap impact, at least to start.
Any interest in Joseph will be to add some speed and physicality to a team’s fourth line. His offensive utility in a top-nine group is greatly diminished due to Joseph being among the worst finishers in the league, at least among forwards, over the life of his contract. He’s shot at just 6.9% since 2022 and hasn’t hit 10% in a single season since then.
As for Holloway, the Blues hope his second IR reinstatement in as many months is more permanent. He sustained an ankle injury in mid-December that kept him out of the lineup for a month. His return lasted just one game, with the lingering pain still being too much to play through.
With now another month-plus of recovery behind him, thanks to the Olympic break, he should be much closer to – if not at – 100%. He’ll be looking to finish strong after a disappointing first half of the campaign that saw the 24-year-old be limited to eight goals and 17 points in 34 games, certainly limiting his earning potential in a contract year after last season’s breakout.
Rangers Claim Tye Kartye From Kraken
1:45 p.m.: The Rangers announced that winger Brennan Othmann, not Morrow, is the roster casualty for Kartye. Othmann heads to Hartford after scoring once in 11 games on his most recent call-up.
1:03 p.m.: The Rangers have claimed winger Tye Kartye off waivers from the Kraken, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. New York does not have an open roster spot and will need to make a corresponding move.
Kartye, 24, was an undrafted free agent signed by the Kraken in 2022. He ended up on waivers yesterday after slowly slipping out of regular fourth-line deployment over the past two years. The OHL Sault Ste. Marie product is in his third NHL season but has been limited to eight points and a -6 rating through 40 games, serving as a healthy scratch in 10 of Seattle’s final 13 games before the Olympic break. He’s two years removed from a rookie season that saw him notch 11 goals and 20 points in 77 games for the Kraken, though.
With another year left on his contract at a $1.25MM cap hit, he’ll now look for more opportunity to contribute in the Rangers’ patchwork bottom-six forward group. He has a career 20-21–41 scoring line with a -21 rating in 180 career appearances. He’s primarily played left wing in his pro career, but has some versatility down the middle if needed. He’ll add another element of physical depth, averaging 2.79 hits per game for his career, while contributing a bit of scoring upside in Manhattan.
The Rangers are carrying eight defensemen, so it stands to reason that the waiver-exempt Scott Morrow, who was a healthy scratch in yesterday’s overtime loss to the Flyers, will be on his way to AHL Hartford to make room for Kartye on the active roster.