I was always really skeptical that Faber's intention was ever to play hard-ball with the Kings and wait it out to get to Minnesota. I think it was kind of an idea that was just started here based on speculation because of a fluff piece talking about his family. Of all the guys drafted each year you could probably find dozens who have unique family situations that would make them want to be closer to home, and most guys would always prefer to play closer to home, most guys aren't drafted by their home town team yet all those guys end up signing with the team that drafted them. If Faber had no intention of ever moving away from Minnesota he would never have moved to Plymouth, MI to play for the NTDP and would have just played high school hockey in the state.
The contract and $$$ is the other thing. He will sign with Minnesota, probably on Monday and his contract starts right away, he becomes a FA eligible for a second contract after the 24-25 season, had he played hard ball with the Kings he wouldn't have been able to sign with the Wild until September of 2024, and his ELC would not have ended until after the 26-27 season, it would have been a huge financial price to pay both in the short term and in the long term by waiting it out.
He didn't not want to play for the Kings (Reign) this season, he just preferred to try and chase one of his lifelong goals to win a national championship, and who could blame him, it's the Kings, he was going to be in the AHL, not really making a ton of money and living what can be a tough lifestyle or he could have returned to Minnesota, to play for his dream school on a loaded national contender. I think many people would have made the same choice.
