NHLSep 30
Wild's Brock Faber Out Indefinitely After Surgery for Fractured Skull
Minnesota heads into its opener against Nashville without a key defenseman, with Jared Spurgeon expected to fill Faber's place alongside Quinn Hughes.
By OddsListing wire desk
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Faber sidelined after puck strikes head
Brock Faber is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery Sunday for a fractured skull, leaving the Minnesota Wild without a member of their projected top defensive pairing as the season approaches. The team announced the surgery Tuesday. The 24-year-old defenseman was struck in the head by a deflected puck during Friday's preseason matchup with the Dallas Stars. He initially remained on the ice and took his next shift before being taken to the hospital during the third period. Minnesota has placed Faber on injured reserve, with the designation retroactive to the injury.
Minnesota faces an early blue-line adjustment
Faber was expected to skate alongside Quinn Hughes on the Wild's top pair. Captain Jared Spurgeon is now expected to move into that role while Faber is unavailable. The absence follows Faber's strongest regular season, when he produced 15 goals and 52 points across 80 games. Faber also won gold with the USA men's hockey team at the 2026 Olympics. His injury adds an immediate lineup challenge for a Minnesota team entering the season with high expectations and unresolved questions surrounding Hughes' future. The Wild begin their season Thursday against the Predators.
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