Don Sweeney chasing Justin Faulk after losing Rasmus Andersson has Boston Bruins fans buzzing, because the right-shot defense market just got nasty.

Vegas already grabbed Andersson, and the price stung. Calgary got Zach Whitecloud, prospect Abram Wiebe, a conditional 2027 first, and a conditional 2028 second, with 50 percent salary retained.

That deal tightened the whole blue line market overnight. Every GM looking for a top-four righty is now staring at the same small menu.

A rumor post says Boston is pivoting hard to Faulk as Plan B. It also claims St. Louis wants a Vegas-style haul, basically a first-rounder plus a prospect.

The fit is easy to see. Boston wants a right-handed puck mover who can settle pairings and keep the breakouts clean.

Faulk is 33 and still playing real minutes. He has 11-19-30 in 57 games this season, which is strong production from the right side.

He also brings a ton of NHL mileage, the kind coaches trust when playoff games tighten up. That’s exactly why teams keep circling his name.

Justin Faulk puts the Boston Bruins in a bind

Bruins fans can smell the dilemma. They want help now, but they hate paying the “desperation tax” after Andersson came off the board.

Faulk’s cap hit is $6.5 million through 2026-27, and his base salary this season is $4.5 million. That’s not impossible, but it forces real cap math.

He also controls his lane with a 15-team no-trade list. Even if Boston and St. Louis agree, Faulk still has a say.

If the Blues retain money, the ask usually climbs again. Retention is an asset, and teams know Boston’s window pressure.

The prospect pool angle matters too. Boston can’t empty the cupboard and expect to stay stable long-term, especially with an aging core trying to squeeze another run.

Still, the attraction is real. Put Faulk on a second pair, let him move pucks, and suddenly Boston’s blue line looks less stressed shift to shift.

This rumor only becomes a story if the price drops, or if Sweeney decides the moment is worth the pain.