Brock Faber sidelined indefinitely after surgery for fractured skull

The Minnesota Wild will begin the regular season without one of their most important blueliners. The team announced Tuesday that defenceman Brock Faber is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured skull suffered during pre-season play.

Faber was hit in the head by a puck on Friday in an exhibition game against the Dallas Stars and has been in the NHL’s concussion protocol since the incident. He was moved to injured reserve on Monday, and further evaluation led to the decision for surgery, which has now been completed.

Wild GM Bill Guerin offers cautious update

General manager Bill Guerin struck a cautious tone when discussing Faber’s status with reporters, saying the club will not rush any timelines. “He just had a serious surgery and an injury, so we’re just gonna (update) you guys when the time’s right,” Guerin said, noting that Faber is doing well and that the Wild will follow medical guidance on his recovery.

Faber, 24, was projected to log heavy minutes on Minnesota’s top defence pair this season. His absence forces the coaching staff to rethink matchups at even strength, on the power play and on the penalty kill as the team finalizes its opening-night lineup without a key right-shot option.

Breakout season interrupted by serious setback

The Maple Grove, Minn., native is coming off a breakout campaign in which he set new personal bests with 15 goals and 36 assists over 80 regular-season games. He then added 10 points, including four goals, in 11 playoff contests as the Wild advanced to the second round.

Faber has also built an impressive résumé on the international stage, having been part of the United States men’s Olympic hockey team that captured a gold medal. That combination of NHL impact and high-level experience made him a central figure in Minnesota’s plans for 2026-27.

The Wild open their season Thursday on the road against the Nashville Predators before returning home for their Xcel Energy Center opener Saturday versus the Boston Bruins. Until there is more clarity on Faber’s recovery, Minnesota will have to lean on its remaining defensive depth and adjust roles to navigate a challenging start without one of its top contributors on the back end.