Wild's Brock Faber Clears NHL Return To Play Protocol; Still No Timetable

As Minnesota Wild and NHL fans eagerly await Brock Faber's return, the team has announced some positive news.

According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, Faber has cleared his return-to-play protocol, but he still has no timetable, although he can start skating in a few days.

"He's cleared in protocol to exercise, work out," said coach John Hynes. "I think he's going to start skating in another day or so, and then we'll go from there."

Faber sustained a head injury when he was hit by a puck in a pre-season game. He suffered a skull fracture and required surgery. The Wild did not give Faber a timeline when he initially suffered the injury, revealing that he would be out indefinitely.

It was a major blow to the Wild's roster, as Faber is crucial to the team’s success. Faber skated in 80 games last season, posting a career-high 15 goals and a career-high 51 points while averaging 24:41 of ice time. He and Quinn Hughes had instant chemistry and played like one of the NHL's best defensive pairs. 

The Wild have handled Faber's absence well. Hughes has been phenomenal; Jared Spurgeon has stepped up in an increased role, although he'll be out week-to-week with a lower-body injury; Jonas Brodin has been incredibly steady; and others like Olli Maatta, Matt Kiersted, David Spacek, and Dameon Hunt, before he was claimed off waivers, have more than held their own. 

But when Faber returns, the Wild's dynamic shifts drastically. They'll welcome back a premier two-way defender with great chemistry alongside arguably the NHL's best defenseman, Hughes. Brodin and Spurgeon can lower their minutes and take on more defensive matchups. And Faber will contribute to both special teams units, as he's a solid penalty killer and can quarterback the second unit. 

Faber’s progress over the next little while will be critical. Just two weeks ago, Hynes gave an encouraging update regarding the 24-year-old's health.

"He's doing really well. Stitches are out. No activity yet for him," Hynes said. "He's gotta go see a doctor in short order here and then after that, I'll be able to update you where he is at in his next steps. But all positive in that way."

The Wild will assuredly be patient with Faber, but the signs are positive. 

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