Wellman, Falk to make NHL debut; Immortal Zanon (broken ankle) day-to-day; Other news

Good afternoon from Columbus, where the Wild and Blue Jackets are going to tip off in less than five hours.

Or face off.

All this college basketball's scrambling my brain. There are so many players in the Wild locker room these days, it's like training camp. There again weren't enough stalls for Wild players.

Two very nervous and excited players in the locker room this morning as center Casey Wellman and defenseman Justin Falk, the pride of Snowflake, Manitoba, prepare to make their NHL debuts. It was an optional skate, so I don't know who's coming out for Wellman, although I assume Robbie Earl or James Sheppard. Probably Earl, who is on waivers with defenseman Jaime Sifers.

The Wild hopes to get some healthy bodies back when it returns to Minnesota, and even if Earl or Sifers stay after clearing, they could then be sent back to Houston at any point. Just gives the Wild options.

Coach Todd Richards said as of the end of the skate he hadn't decided who comes out for Wellman. Assistant coach Dave Barr sat with Wellman after the skate and worked systems. Like I said, Wellman was excited, but I tried to leave him alone -- kinda like a starting goalie.

Falk, who thought he might make his NHL debut Tuesday against Edmonton, flew back to Houston yesterday and flew back up this morning. He hustled to the rink, and with the players already on the ice, hustled into his gear and jumped on the ice. Last year, hours after signing his first pro contract, he played his first-ever preseason game also in Columbus.

Why is Falk here?

Because Greg Zanon has been playing on a BROKEN RIGHT ANKLE the last few games because he wants to help the Wild to the postseason!

Old-school.

But after blocking Jordin Tootoo's shot on the right toe in the first period and also twisting his right ankle in the same game, his body wore down playing on one leg and he finally was shut down after his second shift of the third period.

Zanon said he's willing to play tonight, but and this is awesome, "They're not letting me play."

Here's my second-favorite quote from Zanon: "We'll see how it is for Sunday."

Josh Harding will start in goal, Wade Dubielewicz will back him up. Niklas Backstrom is aiming to return Sunday against an unknown opponent (I take it one game at a time these days and don't feel like walking six feet to my media guide), but this is definitely up in the air.

Elk River's Nate Prosser took part in his first NHL practice today, and he was exhausted after. Richards made him work, that's for sure, but Richards felt he was also tired just with all that's been going on in his life. Leaving college, signing a contract, flying to Nashville, being around an NHL team for the first time, the nerves of practicing for the first time. The one thing that was glaring to me today watching him closely is he's got good feet and a nice wrist shot.

Richards is still very disappointed by last night's performance from his team. "We usually respond well to tough outings. I consider this along the same lines. ... We weren't winning a lot of battles, and it started in the faceoff circle. They won 63 percent, us 37 percent. To me, that's the first battle. I'm lining up across from you, they're dropping the puck. It's basically you're getting it or I'm getting it, and they got it 60 percent of the time. That was indicative of our night.

Lastly, I just wanted to send my prayers and heartfelt thoughts out to KSTP program director Steve Konrad and his family. Steve was in a motorcycle accident last night in St. Paul and is in critical condition. He's a great guy -- a hockey guy, has always been supportive of me and is the reason why I'm on the radio in Minnesota.