Brock Faber Clears Protocol; MN Wild Lose Spurgeon a Bit Longer

The Minnesota Wild host the New York Islanders tonight at 7 p.m. CDT. They sit first in the Central Division at 9-3-2. And they have done it all without one of their top defensemen, local hockey legend, Brock Faber.

The former Gopher out of Maple Grove has yet to play a game this season. His last time on the ice was the Wild's final preseason game against the Dallas Stars (Sept. 25). Faber's night ended in between the second and third periods, after he was hit in the earhole by a puck that fractured his skull .

Brock Faber cleared to start skating soon

He played with the "scary" injury for the remainder of the second period, before he was finally removed. The 24-year-old underwent surgery two days later. Thankfully, head coach John Hynes gave the most positive update on Faber, to date, almost with a flurry of other injury updates and roster moves.

Hynes told gathered media today that Faber has been cleared in his return-to-play protocol, though there is no timetable for his return yet. Also notable: He can start skating in a few days.

Hynes: Fabes is cleared to return, not to play but in protocol to play: Exercise, workouts, he will start skating in a day or so. I don't have a timetable yet, maybe in a couple of days. Foligno bro's & Gus are also skating. Gus should return to practising in roughly 2 weeks. — Amwa (@Atothetease) October 29, 2026

Hynes: Fabes is cleared to return, not to play but in protocol to play: Exercise, workouts, he will start skating in a day or so. I don't have a timetable yet, maybe in a couple of days. Foligno bro's & Gus are also skating. Gus should return to practising in roughly 2 weeks.

Last season, Faber had 15 goals and 51 points in 80 games while averaging 24:41 of ice time. In the playoffs, he went off for four goals and 10 points in 11 games, averaging an incredible 29:44 of ice time.

Given the injuries Minnesota has been dealing with on the blue line since Faber went out of the lineup, the timing of his step forward couldn't be much better.

Jared Spurgeon week to week; Lambos recalled

Speaking of, we got an update on captain Jared Spurgeon Thursday too. Unfortunately, it wasn't nearly as positive. His upper body injury has now been moved from day-to-day to week-to-week.

Spurgeon returned to the Wild lineup on Oct. 22 , after missing four games with an upper-body injury. Before that injury, the 36-year-old had five points in six games and was averaging 22:22 a night.

In response, the Wild recalled defenseman Carson Lambos from AHL Iowa on Thursday, to add some depth on the blue line. Lambos, 23, has one goal and one assist in eight games with Iowa this season.

Spurgeon is week to week right now. — Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) October 29, 2026

Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) October 29, 2026

The MN Wild also added to their blue line. According to Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet) , the Wild claimed defenseman Cam Crotty off waivers from the Ottawa Senators.

Crotty, 27, is a right-shot defenseman. The Arizona Coyotes drafted him in the third round in 2017. He played one game for Minnesota two years ago and spent the rest of that season in Iowa, where he collected 10 assists in 64 games .

He had played three games for Ottawa this season without a point, before they waived him.

MIN claims Crotty — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 29, 2026

Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 29, 2026

Friedman also reported that forward Arthur Kaliyev is signing a 25-game professional tryout with AHL Iowa. Kaliyev, 25, is a free agent. Russo added that he is an option to sign with Minnesota if he plays well.

Kaliyev had 40 goals and 68 points in 70 AHL games with Belleville last season. The Los Angeles Kings drafted him in the second round, 33rd overall, in 2019.

Arthur Kaliyev is currently tied for the AHL lead with 11 goals, and is in sole possession of 1st in shots with 65 👀 @SensProspects — SensCentral (@SensCentral) November 25, 2025

Arthur Kaliyev is currently tied for the AHL lead with 11 goals, and is in sole possession of 1st in shots with 65 👀 @SensProspects

SensCentral (@SensCentral) November 25, 2025