ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin saw more than enough potential in Brock Faber’s rookie season to sign the defenseman to an eight-year, $68 million contract extension on Monday.
The deal doesn’t kick in until the 2025-26 season once Faber’s rookie contract expires. It comes after the 21-year-old finished second behind Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard in the Calder Trophy rookie of the year award voting.
From Maple Grove, Minnesota, Faber led all rookies and was sixth among NHL skaters in averaging 24 minutes and 58 seconds of ice time per game last season. Faber’s ice-time total (2,047:53) was the most by an NHL rookie since 2000-01. He also finished tied for second among rookies with 47 points (eight goals and 39 assists) in 82 games.
Faber is one of the young building blocks of a team already looking ahead to having more salary cap room to sign players once the bulk of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter’s bought-out contracts come off the Wild’s books next summer.
Parise and Suter combine to count $14.73 million against Minnesota’s salary cap this season after having their contracts bought out in 2021. That drops to $1.67 million in each of the following three seasons.
Faber was selected by Los Angeles in the second round of the 2020 draft. Two years later, the Kings traded Faber and 2022 first-round pick Liam Ohgren to Minnesota to acquire forward Kevin Fiala.
Faber’s contract extension comes three weeks after the Wild signed Jake Middleton to a four-year, $17.4 million extension that also kicks in after this season.
The Minnesota Wild and defenseman Brock Faber have reached an agreement on an eight-year contract extension, solidifying Faber’s future with the team for the foreseeable future. The deal, which is reportedly worth $52 million, comes after Faber’s breakout season with the Wild, where he established himself as a key player on the blue line.
Faber, who was drafted by the Wild in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft, has quickly become a fan favorite in Minnesota due to his strong defensive play and ability to contribute offensively. In his rookie season, Faber tallied 30 points in 68 games, showcasing his versatility and skill on both ends of the ice.
The extension is a clear sign of the Wild’s commitment to building a competitive team for the long term, as Faber joins a core group of young players who are poised to lead the team to success in the coming years. With Faber locked up for the next eight seasons, the Wild can focus on building around him and continuing to improve their roster through the draft and free agency.
Faber’s contract extension also speaks to his potential as a top defenseman in the league, as he has already proven himself to be a reliable and consistent player at just 21 years old. With his combination of size, skill, and hockey IQ, Faber has all the tools to become a cornerstone player for the Wild and a leader on and off the ice.
Overall, the agreement between the Wild and Brock Faber is a positive development for both parties, as it ensures stability and continuity for the team while also rewarding Faber for his hard work and dedication to the organization. Wild fans can look forward to seeing Faber continue to grow and develop as a player, while also helping lead the team to success in the years to come.