Justin Falk

Hometown:

Snowflake Manitoba

Team:

Columbus Blue Jackets

Currently Playing In:

Pro

Birthday:

1988-10-11
Position:

D

Eligible for draft:

2007
Shoots:

Left
Drafted:

2007
Height:

6-5
Acquired:

Trade with Minnesota, 2015
Weight:

225 lbs.
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History

2006-07:  Justin Falk posted 15 points on 3 goals and 12 assists along with 88 penalty minutes in 62 games for the Spokane Chiefs (WHL). Led the Chiefs in plus/minus at +11. Falk was chosen in the fourth round, 110th overall, of the 2007 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild.

2007-08: Led the WHL and Memorial Cup champion Chiefs in plus/minus for the second straight season at +27. Recorded career-highs in goals with four and assists with 22. Named to Memorial Cup All-Star team.

2008-09: Falk signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Minnesota in October 2008 and skated in 65 of 80 regular season games for the Wild’s AHL affiliate Houston in his first pro season. A solid, stay-at-home defenseman, Falk’s ice time gradually increased and he finished the season -4 with 3 assists and 44 PMs. After finishing third in the West Division, the Aeros reached the AHL semifinals and Falk played in all 20 playoff games, finishing an even plus/minus with 2 assists and 4 PMs.

2009-10: Falk made his NHL debut late in the season, seeing limited action in three March games for the Wild, and was one of the top defenders for AHL Houston. Falk was -2 and averaged 7:32 minutes of ice time in his brief stint with the Wild. In 69 games with the Aeros, who missed the AHL playoffs after finishing last in the West Division, he scored 3 goals with 6 assists and was -6 with 87 PMs.

2010-11: Falk opened the season with the Wild and was with the team until late November before being sent to AHL Houston; and appeared in four late season games in two separate call ups. In 22 games with the Wild he was -4 with 3 assists and had 6 PMs; averaging 14 minutes of ice time. Falk played a significant role in the success of the Aeros, who finished second in the West Division and reached the Calder Cup finals. In 55 regular season games he scored 3 goals with 11 assists and was a team-high +16 with 41 PMs. He skated in all 24 playoff games and was +3 with 5 assists and 33 PMs. Falk was re-signed to a one year contract by the Wild as a restricted free agent in July 2011.

 

Talent Analysis

Justin Falk is a big stay-at-home defenseman at 6'5 and 215 pounds who sees the ice well and plays positionally sound hockey. While he can deliver a big hit, he doesn't typically go looking for it. His skating gets a passing grade, good for his size. He needs to improve his decision making with the puck and his puck skills overall.

Future

Falk was dealt by the Minnesota Wild along with a draft pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Jordan Leopold. 

Has been steady this year as an NHL semi-regular. Falk will likely graduate as a prospect this season.

 

2007 Draft produced numerous depth players for Minnesota Wild

by Peter Prohaska
on
Photo: The first pick taken by the Wild in 2007, Colton Gillies never quite developed into the power forward he was projected to when taken 16th overall. (Photo courtesy of NHL)

The last remnants of the old empire haven't quite all been swept away, but with the waiving in Colton Gillies in January, the 2007 draft will be notable for the late round picks that seem to be tracking well. And while having yet another first round pick fail to stick with a team seems disastrous, the 2007 draft has provided some decent depth for the Wild organization.

In 2006-07 the Wild scored the fewest goals of any team in the league, yet grabbed the seventh playoff seed in the West based on the strengths of an excellent year from Nick Backstrom backstopping Jacques Lemaire's trademark team defense. The team however was quickly dispatched by the eventual champion Ducks. And although any playoff berth is generally a sign of a successful season, it was apparent that more high-end offensive skill was needed to supplement the core after such an anemic goal-scoring year.
Read more»

Granlund continues reign as top prospect for Minnesota Wild

by Peter Prohaska
on
Photo: Drafted 28th overall, Zack Phillips came to Minnesota as part of the return in the Brent Burns trade. (Photo courtesy of Ken McKenna/HF)

Although Mikael Granlund remains the Wild's number one prospect, the depth for the Minnesota Wild continues to improve under Chuck Fletcher's watch. With the draft taking place on home turf, the Wild made a wise but somewhat surprising move to add another blue-chip defense prospect in Jonas Brodin. They then traded pending free agent Brent Burns for two prospects, Charlie Coyle and Zack Phillips, the latter selected with San Jose's first round pick. The addition of these players can only improve the long-term outlook of the franchise.

1. (1) Mikael Granlund, C, 8.0B
Drafted 1st Round, 9th overall, 2010
Read more»
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