Kevin Fiala Dealt to Kings for 1st Rnd Pick + Gophers Defenseman

The Kevin Fiala pot was simmering on Wednesday morning, when it was first reported that trade talks surrounding the Minnesota Wild winger were heating up. It didn’t take long for rumors to boil over and a deal to come to fruition.

Minutes ago, Michael Russo (The Athletic) reported that Kevin Fiala had been traded to the LA Kings. In return, the Wild received the 19th overall pick in the upcoming 2022 NHL Draft and the rights to 19-year-old Minnesota Gophers Captain defenseman, Brock Faber.

According to sources, the #mnwild have traded the rights to pending restricted free agent Kevin Fiala to the #lakings for their 2022 first-round pick and University of Minnesota captain Brock Faber

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 29, 2022

Brock Faber

Faber is a former 2nd round Kings draft pick (#45 overall). He has blossomed in recent seasons with the Minnesota Gophers and in international play. According to EliteProspects.com, the Maple Grove native is 6-0 tall and currently weighs in at 190 lbs.

The Athletic ranked Faber as the 7th-best prospect in the Kings system (3rd best defenseman), back in February.

The first thing that stood out was his skating. The same thing that leaped out at Raboin when he first saw Faber play. Said Raboin, plainly: “His ability to close and skate is what sets him apart from the rest.” But there were other things about him and his game that were further ahead than they anticipated, as well. He became an immediate leader on the team, a rarity for a true freshman. “The stuff you don’t see are his leadership qualities and the calming presence on the bench. And that’s stuff that we really see high value in, in Brock,” Raboin said, In fitness testing, Faber, the team’s youngest player, was at or near the top in every category. – The Athletic (Scott Wheeler)

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan