The Minnesota Wild have secured the services of promising defenseman Brock Faber by signing him to an eight-year, $68 million contract extension. The deal is set to take effect starting from the 2025-26 season, following the conclusion of Faber's rookie contract.
During his rookie season, Faber showcased his immense potential, finishing as the runner-up in Calder Trophy rookie of the year award voting, just behind Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks. Hailing from Maple Grove, Minnesota, Faber made a significant impact by leading all rookies and ranking sixth among all NHL skaters with an average ice time of 24 minutes and 58 seconds per game. His total ice time of 2,047:53 was the highest by an NHL rookie since the 2000-01 season. Additionally, Faber tallied 47 points, including eight goals and 39 assists, in 82 games, tying for second among rookies in scoring.
As the Wild look to the future, Faber represents a key building block for the team, especially with the impending increase in salary cap space once the contracts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter are fully off the books next summer. The combined $14.73 million cap hit from Parise and Suter's bought-out contracts for this season will decrease to $1.67 million in each of the following three seasons.
Faber, originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round of the 2020 draft, was acquired by the Wild in a trade that also involved forward Kevin Fiala. This contract extension for Faber follows closely on the heels of the Wild signing Jake Middleton to a four-year, $17.4 million extension that will come into effect after the current season.
With Faber's long-term commitment, the Wild are solidifying their defensive core and setting the stage for continued success in the seasons to come.
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