After a conference call with the NHL this morning, Wild defenseman Brent Burns faces a possible suspension for butt-ending Florida Panthers forward Steve Bernier on the right cheek after the buzzer Friday night.

After watching the replay on this link, I believe it was accidental, inadvertant, whatever you want to call it. Burns is not that type of player. But, you do have to be in control of your own stick, and there was a ton of damage. According to a Panthers source, Bernier has "facial fractures" and will likely require surgery. No timetable was given to me.

I am told by several people that Burns was physically sickened on the bus last night. This was obviously a bad accident by a non-malicious player.

I'll update blog when a decision comes down.

As of now, the Wild will go with three rookie defensemen tomorrow vs. Tampa Bay, but I'd think they'll try to get Marek Zidlicky down here for the game. He's been progressing from his leg injury, and it's not a bad flight. I'll let you know if I'm dead wrong later.

As of now, the Wild did make one move this afternoon, recalling Robbie Earl for the first time this season (back and forth six times last year) and reassigned Cody Almond. Earl had a tough couple exhibition games for the Wild, and apparently that filtered into Houston's start. But we all know he can play up here, and it's not like he lit it up down there last year either.

Practice is at 1 ET.

Oh, here's the non-snowy view from the balcony of my Tampa suite