ST. PAUL — It felt like only a matter of time before the Wild traded star winger Kevin Fiala. That time has come.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Wild traded Fiala’s rights to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for their first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft as well as Gophers men’s hockey captain Brock Faber, a source confirmed to the Pioneer Press. Michael Russo of The Athletic was the first person to report the news.
The 25-year-old Fiala is fresh off the best season of his blossoming career in which he scored 33 goals, 52 assists, and 85 points. In a perfect world for the Wild, general manager Bill Guerin would’ve been able to keep Fiala around long term, pairing him with superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov for years to come.
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That said, with Fiala in line for a big pay day this offseason, and the Wild suffering through the consequences of buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter last offseason, a blockbuster move felt likely ahead of next week’s draft.
Fiala can become a restricted free agent on July 13.
TSN reported Fiala will sign a seven-year contract with an average annual value of just under $8 million. He played last season on a one-year deal worth $5.1 million.
Fiala, 25, was selected by the Predators with the 11th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft.
Faber, 19, had 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) in 32 games while serving as captain of the University of Minnesota during the 2021-22 season. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and represented the United States at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
When worlds collide 😏
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) June 29, 2022
Welcome home, Brock ❤️🏡💚#mnwild pic.twitter.com/bNrCPNgjyD
WELCOME TO LA, KEVIN!
— LA Kings (@LAKings) June 29, 2022
We've acquired Kevin Fiala from the @mnwild in exchange for D Brock Faber and our 2022 first-round pick.
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