Former Capitals defenseman John Carlson
suffered similar injury in 2022

by Bryan Zollman, Let’s Play Hockey

Expectations have been high for the Minnesota Wild since their second-round playoff loss to Colorado last season.

With a bolstered roster and hopes of signing Quinn Hughes to a multiyear contract, Wild fans were eager for the puck to drop on the 2026-27 season. The team made significant progress last season and hoped to build on it this season.

Then, in the Wild’s final preseason game against Dallas, star defenseman Brock Faber took a puck to the side of the head. What initially appeared to be a minor injury ultimately required surgery for a fractured skull.

Bill Guerin addressed the media Tuesday, Sept. 29, to discuss the injury.

“Brock Faber suffered a fracture to his skull,” he said. “He had surgery on Sunday that was successful. We will update you guys at some point in time on a possible return to play. But right now, Brock’s at home. He’s doing well. He’s just resting. We’re going to leave it at that.”

Although the Wild have not announced a timetable for Faber’s return, a similar injury sidelined former Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson for three months during the 2022 season. Carlson suffered a fractured skull when he took a slapshot to the side of the head during a game on Dec. 23, 2022. The puck also lacerated a temporal artery, causing profuse bleeding on the ice.

Carlson eventually recovered and returned to the Capitals’ lineup three months later. He played all 82 games the following season, then appeared in 79 games the next season and 71 last season.

Guerin declined to discuss a timetable for Faber’s return, focusing instead on his recovery.

“I’m not getting into any of that,” he said. “He just had a surgery and a serious injury so we will update you when the time is right. He’s doing well right now which is good news. We will follow the doctors’ leads.”

Faber returned to the ice after being struck but was later pulled from the game. His absence will be felt on a blue line considered one of the best in the league, with Hughes and Faber forming the top pair and veterans Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin anchoring the second pair.

Spurgeon is expected to join Hughes on the top unit in Faber’s absence, with newcomer Olli Maatta joining Brodin on the second pair. Zach Bogosian and Daemon Hunt are expected to form the third pair, with David Spacek serving as the extra defenseman.

The Wild also have former first-round pick Carson Lambos in Iowa as a potential replacement. The 23-year-old has appeared in one game for Minnesota.

Maatta, like Brodin, is more of a stay-at-home defender and will step into a top-four role. He has played 804 NHL games and owns a career plus-minus rating of plus-76. Spurgeon has played 1,012 games and is plus-127, while Brodin has played 915 games and is plus-122. The 26-year-old Hughes has appeared in 507 games and is plus-27.

When asked how Faber’s injury affected the lineup, Guerin acknowledged the impact of his absence but emphasized the importance of his recovery and long-term health.

“I mean, Brock’s a great player,” he said. “He’s a big player for us so yeah it’s always going to affect your team when guys like that are out. But the big thing here is he’s doing well. Sometimes you have to put the hockey aside and worry about the human being and that’s what we’re doing here now.”

Guerin continued: “Brock’s a son, a brother, he’s got a girlfriend and people that care about him, so we got to worry about the human being right now and not so much about the lineup.”

Faber is recovering at home, said Guerin, who has been in touch with Faber’s father, Jay.

“He’s doing well,” Guerin said.

The Wild will open their season Thursday in Nashville before hosting Boston on Saturday at Grand Casino Arena for their home opener.