With general manager Steve Yzerman stepping down, Patrick Kane returning to Chicago, and uncertainty surrounding captain Dylan Larkin's future, the Detroit Red Wings need stability.
Last year, head coach Todd McLellan made strides towards that stability when he named Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond permanent alternate captains.
If the Red Wings ultimately decide to honor Larkin's trade wishes and move on from him, they are going to lean on other veterans to fill the void. They'll have to look no further than Justin Faulk.
Faulk, who was acquired at the deadline this past March, was acquired to help the Red Wings get over their playoff hump. Detroit paid a steep price for him as they dealt prospect Dmitri Buchelnikov, Justin Holl, and a first-round and third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for his services.
At the time of the deal, the Red Wings were sitting pretty at 35-21-7, which was good for third in the Atlantic Division and they were holding a playoff spot. However, the Red Wings stumbled down the stretch.
