Kevin Fiala’s Milestone Achievement
Kevin Fiala recently celebrated a milestone, not only achieving 500 career points but also netting the decisive goal in a matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This moment invites a closer examination of Fiala’s journey to the Los Angeles Kings, which began with his acquisition from the Minnesota Wild on June 29, 2022.
The Trade and Fiala’s Contract
The trade, orchestrated by former Kings general manager Rob Blake, saw defenseman Brock Faber and a first-round pick in the 2022 draft move to Minnesota in exchange for the talented forward. On that very day, Fiala secured his future with the Kings by agreeing to a lucrative seven-year deal, valued at $7.875 million annually.
Prior to the trade, Fiala had an impressive final season with the Wild, racking up a personal best of 85 points, including 33 goals and 52 assists. Although he hasn’t quite matched that point total since joining Los Angeles, he did achieve a personal record for goals last season, finishing with 35. In his initial two seasons with the Kings, he has maintained steady production, recording 72 points in his first season and 73 the following year.
Impact on the Minnesota Wild
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild’s investment in Faber is paying dividends. Since the trade, the 21-year-old defenseman has emerged as a promising star. He finished a commendable rookie season, garnering recognition by finishing second in Calder Trophy voting, just behind the Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard. In his inaugural full season, Faber notched 47 points, including eight goals in 82 games.
However, his subsequent season saw a decline in totals, as he recorded 29 points and a personal high of 10 goals across 78 games. Faber has also experienced significant growth in responsibility, logging an impressive average of 25:32 minutes of ice time per game. Notably, he represented the United States at the 4 Nations Face-off, further showcasing his potential on the international stage.
Additional Assets from the Trade
In addition to the talents exchanged, the trade included a key asset for Minnesota, as the Kings’ 2022 first-round pick was used to select left winger Liam Ohgren with the 19th overall choice. Ohgren, who has seen action in 33 NHL games, is currently playing with the AHL’s Iowa Wild, where he has accumulated three goals and five points in nine matches this season.
Conclusion
The transaction ultimately benefited both teams: the Kings welcomed an elite offensive player in Fiala, while the Wild secured a highly-regarded young defenseman in Faber, setting them each on divergent but promising paths in the NHL.
