NHL Rumor Mill – February 18, 2026
Which teams are interested in Blues defenseman Justin Faulk? Could the Canadiens trade blueliner Arber Xhekaj? Check out the latest speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports a source claiming the Boston Bruins are among multiple teams interested in St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk.
According to Murphy, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney remains aggressive in his pursuit of a top-four, right-shot defenseman after losing out to the Vegas Golden Knights in the Rasmus Andersson sweepstakes.
St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk (NHL Images)
Other clubs believed to be pursuing Faulk include the Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, and Utah Mammoth. However, the Blues have set a high asking price for the 33-year-old puck-moving defenseman. They seek a return comparable to what the Flames received from the Golden Knights in the Andersson deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames received defenseman Zach Whitecloud, defense prospect Abram Wiebe, a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft (top-10 protected, and a conditional 2028 second-rounder, which would upgrade to a 2028 first-rounder if the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup this year.
Faulk has a year remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million, but he’ll be paid $4.5 million in actual salary next year. He also has a 15-team no-trade list.
Both factors could limit the number of potential trade destinations for Faulk, especially if the Blues aren’t willing to retain salary. Convincing them to do so would mean giving up an additional asset in the deal.
The Sabres, Red Wings, Stars, and Mammoth could use Faulk, but he wouldn’t be a fit with the Canadiens. They have limited cap space ($1.7 million) at the trade deadline. The Habs also have Noah Dobson, Kaiden Guhle, and Alexandre Carrier as their right-side defensemen, with Lane Hutson capable of shifting from left to right if necessary. Guhle is a left-shot defenseman playing on the right side, but they’re not going to demote him or Carrier.
The Canadiens have a right-side need, but it’s for a scoring winger on their top line.
Speaking of the Canadiens’ blueline…
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: In a recent mailbag segment, Stu Cowan was asked if this season could be the last for Arber Xhekaj with the Canadiens.
The 6’4”, 240-pound defenseman has averaged just over 11 minutes this season playing on their third pairing. Meanwhile, Jayden Struble has averaged over 14 minutes as he jockeys with Xhekaj for that sixth spot on the Canadiens’ blueline.
Xhekaj, 25, is eligible to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. Struble, 24, has one more year left on his contract with an AAV of $1.412 million.
As competition for blueline spots gets tougher, Cowan believes it might be best for Xhekaj if he were traded to a club where he’ll get more playing time. He doesn’t see the Canadiens trading the big blueliner to a division rival, but noted that Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer is a big fan of Xhekaj’s from their time together with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2022.
Cowan wondered if the Senators or another club might attempt to sign Xhekaj to an offer sheet this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Cowan observed, Xhekaj could become expendable after this season, with David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom likely to push for roster spots this fall.
That will upset Canadiens fans who love Xhekaj’s physical style. However, that could be offset if they get a decent trade return or if Engstrom and Reinbacher blossom into quality NHL defensemen.
The Canadiens aren’t likely to peddle Xhekaj before the trade deadline because they need his size and toughness for the playoffs. However, they could trade him before July 1 if they feel they no longer have room for him. They could also re-sign him to an affordable short-term deal and then attempt to move him during the preseason.
Xhekaj does fit Dubas stated type of targets….
Agreed and thinking same thing
He fits Ottawa’s as well .. and he and Andlauer go back to his Major Junior days. However, I don’t see Staois going the offer-sheet route.
If the pens were interested they do have their own picks and 1 extra each of 2nd and 3rd rounds. Would Mont match at 2.3 mil per year for a third? Would they match at 4.5 per year at a second?
I agree, George. I like his game. Sens could use some depth on the L side, maybe they get him with one of our 3rd rounders. Him and Stutzle would make one hell of a partnership.
Chrisms, despite my post below no one is going to offer Xhekaj 4.5. I know the Bs signed Jeannot for an absurd 3.4, but that would be 1.1 beyond that dubious contract.
Probably not lj. That’s close to the cut off to stay at the 2nd round pick payoff. Was curious what hab fans think is the highest they’d go to match an offer.
I think I would rather stay the course on their rebuild. A player like Faulk may help them to the playoffs but they’re not going far. I think they got some good young players and extra first rounders let’s build the team from here. I’m thrilled they got in the playoff hunt it’s more than I expected. Let’s not go back to forfeiting the future for 1 playoff round.
Sorry talking Bruins
Cheese,EJ, hope Bruins Don t use a 1st round pick on a 33 yr old Faulk. Make it work without giving up first round picks. Rather aim for a guy like Whitecloud! Younger with term.
I have no interest in Faulk, he doesn’t fil a need for the Habs. A physical RD who blocks shots and controls the crease is needed.
There’s a surplus of LD on the team but the one to be traded is Struble not Xhekaj.
Arber is a 3rd pairing D who’s size and grit is needed in the playoffs and like it or not you need a few solid types like him to keep the opponents from taking liberties.
I’m in agreement with HabsFan. He’s a fan favorite. And plays an important role. In the offseason, I’d hire Jacques Martin and teach him how to play effective defense. He’s never going to be Zdeno Chara, but you could improve defensive hockey IQ and angles with coaching. His skating could use a little work and paired with a smooth skater, puck mover he’s got value for Montreal.
Agreed. If/when Engstrom makes the team, I think Struble becomes the trade chip. Xhekaj remains as the 7th.
Reinbacher’s arrival is the wildcard. Having watched him in Laval, he is nowhere near ready to make the roster next season. If/when that occurs, I still wonder if Xhekaj would be saved by his 7th-D status.
I just wonder what the Habs’ plans are for goal.
Me too, St Pats. Given the scarcity of an upgrade available I think they hold their breath and see if the recent play of Dobes on Montembeault continues.
Wonder if Binnington will be available after the Olympics?
I am genuinely pleased to agree with you entirely, HF30.
It makes no sense to want Xhekaj’s toughness in the playoffs but then trade him. Reinbacher or Engstrom may well be more skilled but trading Xhejak would leave only Guhle as a physical D top 6, and only Anderson as a player who can step up in high drama.
The D that I see being moved, aside from Struble, is Carrier. He plays well, and of course is a francophone, but too often I see him picking himself up off the ice.
Wow! What a game! Dodged a bullet. Mitch Marner clutch for the Maple Leaf. Not so much for the Maple Leafs.
Great game. Sorry to see Sid go down. Don’t think he’ll be back. Suzuki played much better once going to Center, and made up for his miss on the wide open net. Binnington once again shushing his critics.
Marner is starting to become Canada’s OT clutch man.
Too bad those European officials can’t count – that go-ahead Czechia goal was scored with SIX players on the ice.
The problem is that it couldn’t be challenged like it would’ve in the NHL. For all the complaints about coaches’ challenges, this was a clear-cut one that would’ve overturned a goal. Has Suzuki not scored the tying goal, that blown too-many-men incident would’ve cast a dark shadow over a Czechia victory.
Cripes, I saw it when the play started and my first reaction was “what the Hell are they doing pulling the goalie now?” Afterwards, when I realized they hadn’t done that, I was waiting for the immediate challenge.
But no, apparently neither the Canada bench NOR the Czechs realized what had happened. And it seems the Czechs still didn’t know when their coach began ripping the officiating following the game!
Can nobody count past 5 fingers out there?
That being the case, Lyle, one more example of IOC idiocy. The lack of that rule could deprive any team a game. The mind boggles.
That said, congrats for Team Canada finding a way, and to the Czechs who showed grace in defeat after playing so well. They must have been dying during the handshake, but were professional.
Larkin goal!!! USA! USA!! USA!!!!