Brock Faber’s injury situation got a lot more unsettling after a recent update from Michael Russo.
Faber suffered a fractured skull in the Minnesota Wild’s final preseason game and is already out indefinitely, but Russo added a much darker layer during a KFAN appearance. As he put it: "This isn't just a cracked bone.
There was a lot of stuff that was very scary behind the scenes that they haven't disclosed, and that i don't feel comfortable disclosing unless it's on the record. But there was a lot of scary stuff," Russo said via minnesotasportsfan.com.
That’s enough to make anyone stop and take notice. The Wild still haven’t given much beyond the initial diagnosis, and the latest comments only deepen the sense that this could be more than a routine extended absence. At this point, the full picture remains unclear, but the tone around the injury has clearly shifted in a more alarming direction.
There was at least one encouraging note for Minnesota elsewhere, as the Wild opened the season undefeated after an impressive showing against the Boston Bruins.
The early season also brought another storyline around the Wild, with a look at how Kirill Kaprizov is adjusting to life after Mats Zuccarello.
Around the league, the Philadelphia Flyers are said to be in the mix for Simon Edvinsson, who reportedly wants out of Detroit. The 23-year-old defenseman could be a strong fit there and is viewed as a potential No. 1, which helps explain the interest.
And in another major NHL development, Alex Ovechkin announced that this season will be his last in the league. His final game ever could come in Philadelphia against the Flyers.
In Other News...
Wild Let A 2-0 Lead Slip In A Brutal Road Loss
The Wild had the game where they wanted it for most of the night in Buffalo, carrying a two-goal lead into the stretch before the Sabres started to chip away. Minnesota could not close it out, and what looked like a solid road win instead turned into a frustrating defeat after Buffalos late push kept the pressure on until the end.
Buffalo finished the rally with third-period goals from Tage Thompson and Noah Ostlund to force overtime, while Colten Ellis held his own with 18 saves in his season debut. For a Minnesota team that had already done enough early to feel in control, the loss leaves the familiar sour aftertaste of letting a lead get away, especially with the Sabres finding just enough offense to turn the night around. [Read more 🡒]
Sabres Win Came With A Wild Injury Scare Fans Will Notice
Nick Folignos night ended early against the Sabres, adding an unwelcome injury note to a game Minnesota was already trying to manage. The veteran forward left with an upper-body injury and had already seen limited ice time before he was forced out, a reminder of how quickly a hard-working depth piece can become a concern for a team that leans on experience in the lineup.
Foligno, who scored the Wilds season-opening goal earlier in the year, has been part of the group since arriving last season and returning on a one-year deal. For Minnesota, any absence would be worth monitoring not just because of what he brings on the ice, but because he has fit as one of those dependable role players who can steady a lineup when things get choppy. [Read more 🡒]
Wild Forced Into Forward Shuffle Before Next Game
Minnesotas forward depth took a hit after Nick Foligno left the previous game early, leaving the Wild to adjust on the fly before a matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The veterans absence creates an opening in the lineup, and the timing matters for a team that has had to lean on its depth throughout the season.
Tyler Pitlick was recalled from Iowa to help fill the gap, giving the Wild another experienced option who has spent time in both the NHL and AHL. Now in his second year with Minnesota, Pitlick gives the coaching staff a familiar plug-in as it waits to see how long Foligno is unavailable. [Read more 🡒]