About Last Season: Justin Faulk Performance Review and Grade

Justin Faulk: 2017-18 By The Numbers

• Age: 26
• NHL Seasons: 7
• Games Played: 76
• Scoring: 8g—23a—31 points
• Ice Time: 22:16 all situations, 18:47 ES, 2:56 PP, 0:32 PK
• 5-on-5 Stats: 55.3% CF, 53.68% GF
• Contract Status: Under contract through 2020, AAV $4,833,333

Making the Grade

Coming into what was expected to be a season of consequence, Justin Faulk was named the co-captain of the Carolina Hurricanes team alongside Jordan Staal. Faulk has been a longtime stalwart on the Hurricanes defense as well as a leader in the new generation of Hurricanes players. The Minnesota native has shown flashes of offensive brilliance in the past, quarterbacking the power play from the blue line. Despite his promise, Faulk largely disappointed this season.

He earned a steady 37 points with 16 and 17 goals in each of his last two seasons respectively. Faulk has been the team’s most promising modern NHL defenseman since his entry into the league, showing poise in his own zone as well as an offensive instinct that can’t be taught.

Despite his noteworthy career to this point, there was a a clear regression this season with just eight goals and 31 points in 76 games. Faulk’s game improved significantly as the season went on, but it’s safe to say that he did not meet expectations regardless. It isn’t fair to view this as solely his fault, as the entire team underperformed.

However, as the co-captain of the Hurricanes one has to expect more out of Justin Faulk. The 26-year-old hasn’t performed to the same level since his longtime defensive partner in Ron Hainsey was let go at the 2017 trade deadline. As a co-captain, the team looked to him for leadership by example, but the Hurricanes floundered when it mattered most.

Faulk enters his second-to-last season under contract with the Hurricanes in a critical position. Whether he can sustain a leadership spot with the Hurricanes is still an open question, but he’s made enough of a name for himself in the league to retain a top pairing position going into next season regardless of the coach or GM in charge. Despite his down year in Carolina, Justin Faulk has been considered an elite defensemen in the NHL over the past few years. He’s shown the potential to be among the league’s elite blueliners on both sides of the puck. It’s time for him to start playing like it again.

Exit Interview