With the second-most points in the NHL and a spot atop the Central Division, the Minnesota Wild have started the season impressively. But the Wild’s start could become something bigger when Brock Faber returns from a fractured skull.
The first step to Faber’s return occurred on Thursday when The Athletic’s Michael Russo reported that Faber’s return to play protocol has been cleared and he can start skating “in a few days.” While there is no timetable for his return and he faces a long road back, getting back on the ice is an encouraging development and it could have the Wild welcoming their star defenseman back into the lineup on a team already in position to compete for a championship.
Brock Faber still has a ways to go to return to the Minnesota Wild
The start to Faber’s 2026-27 season was derailed when he took a puck to the ear during the preseason finale against the Dallas Stars on Sept. 25. While Faber appeared fine and returned to the game after the incident, he started feeling more severe symptoms later that night and underwent surgery to repair a fractured skull.
The Wild have declined to reveal an exact recovery timeline, in part because of the injury's complexity. It also could be that the Wild just don’t know when Faber will be back, as he faces a recovery period that is just as complex.
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman John Carlson suffered a similar injury with the Washington Capitals in December of 2022. While Carlson suffered a fractured skull, he also tore his temporal artery, which added another complication to his recovery as doctors placed restrictions on how high he could raise his heart rate.
“Outside of a puck hitting my skull in the same spot that would decimate me, it was all related to the blood and not raising your heart rate for a certain amount of time before all that stuff heals,” Carlson told Russo when the Wild played the Lightning on Oct. 8. “...That was frustrating because for me, I got to a point where I felt really good soon after. But A) I obviously [can’t] play because you’re not playing with a fracture in your skull and B) they have to keep you at 100 beats [per minute]. The next week, for me anyway, would be like 110, and then week three would be 115, week four would be 125. You would ramp back up that way. I don’t think it’s outlandish to say I’m sure Brock will be doing some progression like that.”
Wild will be in a great spot when Brock Faber returns from injury
It’s unknown whether Faber suffered an artery injury along with the skull fracture. But Carlson’s comments outline the complex process Faber is facing. That means that while he is ready to start skating, he may also face restrictions that could delay him from playing in a game. But the good news is the Wild have been doing well without him.
Minnesota has posted a 9-3-2 record and is tied for the most points in the Western Conference, along with the Edmonton Oilers, heading into Thursday’s game against the New York Islanders. The Wild have also played well defensively behind goaltender Jesper Wallstedt, ranking third with 2.21 goals allowed per game.
Adding Faber to that group would be another stride in the right direction. The 24-year-old came off a career year with 15 goals and 51 points, and he found his offensive game when the Wild acquired Quinn Hughes via trade last December. With four goals and 10 points in the Wild’s 11 playoff games last spring, fans believed Faber had another level to his game but that has been postponed after the injury.
Wild fans will have to be patient before Faber returns to the ice. But seeing him on skates will be a welcome sight after a scary injury and could give Minnesota another boost as they battle without him.
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