Breaking: Parise to undergo back surgery, out long-term

According to a report from The Athletic’s Michael Russo, Minnesota Wild winger Zach Parise is expected to undergo back surgery today to repair a herniated disk. Recovery from the surgery is expected to sideline him for up to two months. 

Parise first suffered the back injury during the 2015-16 season and the pain forced him to miss the entire 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Since then, he’s tried to rehab the injury, so the decision to elect for surgery has not been made without serious consideration. Interestingly enough, the 33-year-old Parise reports feeling no back pain, but the pressure on his disks creates a “persistent, intense pain in one of his legs,” according to Russo.

Parise is one of the Wild’s on-ice and off-ice leaders and his presence will be missed greatly. In 69 games last season, the Minnesota native scored 19 gaols and 42 points, but is just two seasons removed from a 33 goal, 62 point performance. With any luck, he’ll be able to get back to his high scoring ways once he makes a full recovery from surgery.