As the St. Louis Blues got the last laugh against Justin Faulk and the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night, 3-2, there was something particularly interesting that happened. The Blues' new No. 72, Justin Barron, made a really nice play and scored a goal in the second period to help with the lead.
The immediate thought is that General Manager Alexander Steen worked his magic and brought in a fantastic talent in Barron from the waiver wire. But there is something else hidden underneath that could spark some Blues fans' interest.
Barron could be the next rendition of Faulk and be a key part of this franchise's future. Let's talk about it.
More than just sharing No. 72
Barron came to the Blues and took on Faulk's No. 72. Both sharing right-handed shots, with the ability to really swing a hefty slap shot, these two share so many similarities.
Faulk was known for his ability to carry the puck, operate the power play as a solid quarterback, and have a two-way game that was unique. He stayed in St. Louis for seven seasons by adapting that rough-and-tough playstyle with elegance and swiftness.
Right now, Barron can be that same type of player. In 15 games with the Blues, Barron has three goals and seven assists for 10 points. That is some solid contribution from the blue line, and it is currently at a pace of a 54-point season.
Justin's are the best
Being a fellow Justin myself, I can see Barron having success and continuing on Faulk's legacy in St. Louis for a long time. He is 25 years old and fits in perfectly with the Blues' core group.
With the return of Logan Mailloux, Barron had to slide to the left side, and the pairing of him and Colton Parayko was a pretty solid one. In over 14 minutes of ice-time together, the pair had an XGoals% of 83.2%.
Barron was able to show reliability and, with a big goal against Detroit, earned the trust of his coach, Jim Montgomery.
Barron: 3G, 10 pts in 15 gms
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) November 11, 2026
Monty: "He's done it long enough to think this is the best version of him. He wasn't a 1st rd pick by mistake. It's clear by his talent. He's putting it all together and it's awesome watching someone blossom like that. Great job by our pro scouts."
This could be a blooming relationship betwene Barron and the Blues, and the rest of this season will dictate what that looks like, financially. But for now, Blues fans should be rubbing their eyes, as that No. 72 out there looks a lot like the old No. 72 of the past seven years.
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