Blues acquire Faulk in deal with Hurricanes

The Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues acquired the 27-year-old defenseman Tuesday in a major trade that sent defenseman Joel Edmundson, prospect Dominik Bokk and a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Blues also acquired a fifth-round pick in 2020.

After the trade, the Blues signed Faulk to a seven-year contract extension worth $45.5 million (annual average value of $6.5 million).

Faulk, 27, had been the subject of heavy trade speculation as he entered the final season of a six-year contract with Carolina.

"If you're going to move on to another team and situation, it's nice that it's another team that is having success and doing well," Faulk said of joining the Blues. "I'm happy to be part of a team that will hopefully continue to have success. Obviously, we all know what happened last season. It's nice to join a team that is feeling pretty good and confident and knowing what the rigors are like to keep going.

"I've heard nothing but good things about St. Louis and the organization," Faulk added. "I've had friends that have played in the organization, and in all their time with the team, they never said anything bad. When people do, it sticks out to you. Nothing has ever stuck out to me. It's always been nice things (about St. Louis). With the success the team is having, you kind of combine those two things as an outsider and it makes the decision a lot easier."

Faulk was a key part of the Hurricanes' run to the Eastern Conference Final last season, posting one goal and seven assists (eight points) in 15 playoff games. In the regular season, he ranked second on the club amongst defensemen with 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists) and registered a plus-9 rating.

"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-4 defenseman who averages over 23 minutes a game and we are confident he will be a strong addition to our club."

Video: NYI@CAR, Gm3: Faulk scores after exiting penalty box

A second-round pick (No. 37 overall) of the Hurricanes in 2010, Faulk is a three-time NHL All-Star (2015, 2016, 2017) and has represented the United States in international play, including winning a gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships, claiming bronze at the 2013 and 2015 IIHF World Championships and earning a bronze medal at the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championships.

In 2014, Faulk became the youngest player on Team USA's roster (21) at the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Edmundson played four seasons with the Blues, spanning 269 career games. He posted 13 goals and 39 assists (52 points) and a plus-18 rating, helping the team claim its first Stanley Cup in 2019. Edmundson was drafted by the Blues in the second round (No. 46 overall) in 2011.

"I would like to thank Joel for his four seasons with the Blues," Armstrong said. "He was an important part of what we accomplished here and we wish him nothing but the best."

Bokk is a first-round pick of the Blues (No. 25 overall) in 2018 but has yet to make his NHL debut.