The Minnesota Wild will open the season without a key defenceman.
Brock Faber is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for a skull fracture sustained in pre-season action, the Wild announced on Tuesday.
Faber has been in concussion protocol since taking a puck to the head Friday against the Dallas Stars. He was placed on injured reserve Monday.
"He just had a serious surgery and an injury, so we're just gonna (update) you guys when the time's right. But he's doing well. He's doing really well, which is good news. And we'll just follow the doctor's lead," general manager Bill Guerin told reporters, per Michael Russo of The Athletic.
Faber, 24, was expected to team with Quinn Hughes on the Wild's top blue-line pair.
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In 80 games last season, the Maple Grove, Minn., native registered career highs in goals (15) and assists (36) as Minnesota broke through to reach the second round of the playoffs. Faber had 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 11 post-season games.
Faber was also part of the gold-medal-winning U.S. men's Olympic hockey team.
The Wild open their season Thursday on the road against the Nashville Predators. Their home opener is set for Saturday against the Boston Bruins.
