Ron Salcer, best known in these parts as the agent for free agent Marian Gaborik, accused the Wild of negligence Friday by allowing one of his other clients, defenseman Brent Burns, to play six weeks with a concussion.

Tom Lynn, the Wild's acting GM while owner Craig Leipold looks for fired-GM Doug Risebrough's replacement, said, "Burns' symptoms grew over a period of time and there was no initial big collision that would have clued anyone into a concussion. ... The fact Salcer may have pulled him out after Brent had already told us he did not feel up to playing [March 7] is not really relevant to the big picture, which is the Wild's desire for him to be healthy long-term. He is one of our young, core players."

Salcer put Burns in touch with former North Stars defenseman Jim Johnson, who long suffered from post-concussion syndrome, to convince Burns what he had.

Salcer wasn't pleased with his care even after diagnosis.

For instance, Johnson recommended a neurologist at the nearby Mayo Clinic. Instead, the Wild flew Burns to New England.

However, when a last-second, non-stop flight was more than $1,000, the team flew Burns through Chicago in a middle seat.