Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin has shown immense confidence in defenseman Brock Faber by offering him an eight-year, $68 million contract extension following Faber’s impressive rookie season. The extension will come into effect once Faber’s rookie contract expires in the 2025-26 season. Despite being just 21 years old, Faber showcased his prowess on the ice, finishing second in Calder Trophy rookie of the year award voting, just behind Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard.
Hailing from Maple Grove, Minnesota, Faber distinguished himself by leading all rookies and ranking sixth among all NHL skaters in average ice time per game last season, logging an impressive 24 minutes and 58 seconds. His total ice time of 2,047:53 was the highest by an NHL rookie since the 2000-01 season. In addition, Faber tallied 47 points, including eight goals and 39 assists, in 82 games, tying him for second among rookies in scoring.
Faber’s contract extension signifies the Wild’s commitment to building around young talent as they anticipate having more salary cap flexibility once the contracts of veterans Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, currently accounting for $14.73 million against the salary cap this season due to being bought out in 2021, come off the books next summer, reducing the cap hit to $1.67 million in each of the following three seasons.
Originally selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2020 draft, Faber was traded to the Wild, along with 2022 first-round pick Liam Ohgren, in exchange for forward Kevin Fiala. This extension for Faber follows closely on the heels of the Wild securing defenseman Jake Middleton with a four-year, $17.4 million extension that will also commence after the current season concludes.
