Blues acquire All-Star D Faulk in deal sending Edmundson, Bokk to Hurricanes

The St. Louis Blues made their first major roster adjustment since the end of their Stanley Cup-winning season — and just eight days before their season opener — acquiring defenseman Justin Faulk, a three-time All-Star, in a deal with the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Blues sent defenseman Joel Edmundson, forward prospect Dominik Bokk and and a 2021 seventh-round pick to Carolina for Faulk and a 2020 fifth-round pick.

The Blues locked up their new acquisition with a seven-year, $45.5 million contract extension. Faulk had been entering the final year of a six-year, $29 million deal.

“We are excited to add Justin to our core group for the next eight years,” general manager Doug Armstrong said. “He is 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, 27, has spent his seven-year NHL career with Carolina, earning All-Star recognition in 2015, ’16 and ’17. He tallied 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists) in 82 regular-season games last season and has 258 points (85 goals, 173 assists) and 265 penalty minutes in 559 career regular-season games. Since entering the NHL in 2011-12, Faulk ranks 26th among all defensemen in points and 22nd in power-play points (102).

Faulk, the 37th overall pick of the 2010 draft, was Carolina’s captain in 2017-18 and an assistant captain in three seasons (2015-17, 2018-19).

Edmundson was a solid defenseman for the Blues the last four seasons, during which he totaled 52 points (13 goals, 39 assists) and 248 penalty minutes in 269 regular-season games.

“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 was a first-round draft pick (25th overall) by the Blues in 2018.