Minnesota Wild Recall New Defenseman to Replace Brock Faber

By Ted Schwerzler |

Updated: Jan 8, 2025

Minnesota Wild, Brock Faber — Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Wild keep on winning. They also keep on losing…players. It’s truly insane the amount of talent that John Hynes has had to play without this season. Kirill Kaprizov is currently on the shelf with no return in sight, and now defenseman Brock Faber is joining him. With the latest injury David Jiricek is set to join the team.

Minnesota Wild trade acquisition set to make debut

Despite a win on Tuesday night against the St. Louis Blues, Minnesota was dealt another loss. Brock Faber exited the game and did not return. There hasn’t been a significant update to his status, but it’s clear he won’t be back immediately.

#mnwild have recalled David Jiricek with Brock Faber injured. To afford him, Devin Shore reassigned. Means Jakub Lauko likely back tomorrow, too
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) January 8, 2025

It has been a bit since the Wild acquired defenseman David Jiricek. He has yet to make his Minnesota debut, but with Faber on the shelf, that’s about to change.

Jiricek played just six games for the Columbus Blue Jackets last season and represents a high upside play for Minnesota. In 11 games for Iowa he has two assists and 13 shots while generating 11 penalty minutes.

Jiricek checks 'first goal in Iowa' off the list ✅

Read more about our prospects » https://t.co/BjP9im7BNx pic.twitter.com/B0OShUyxyR
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 1, 2025

The Wild continue with the need to juggle things with their current cap situation. Devin Shore gets reassigned and Jakob Lauko goes to long-term injured reserve. It’s retroactive to mid-December, and Michael Russo is reporting that he could return tomorrow night.

The #mnwild has placed forward Jakub Lauko on Long-Term Injured Reserve (retroactive to Dec. 14).
— Minnesota Wild PR (@mnwildPR) January 8, 2025

This is life for the Wild while trying to navigate the cap implications imposed by contracts they have shed. Faber hopefully will not be out for the long term, but David Jiricek gets an immediate opportunity to prove his abilities.

Ultimately Minnesota needs to keep winning despite their injury situation. They have done so most of the season, and will have another opportunity to capitalize on Thursday at home against the Colorado Avalanche.

It’s impressive how Hynes has been able to keep his team engaged. If this is the way the results fall while battling through adversity, they should feel great about their prospects once the team returns to full health. The only hope is that becomes a reality at some point during the regular season.