Wild's Zach Parise: Avoids back surgery

Parise won't need surgery for the back injury that caused him to miss the playoffs. "I mean the doctors are really happy with the progress I've made so far, and they're not worried about it dragging into next season or being a continual problem," he told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "You never know, because things can happen, but I'm hoping that after some rehab I'll be in the clear and not have to worry about it anymore."

Analysis:

Parise played last season with a herniated disk that put pressure on a nerve in his lower back. He said he first noticed the injury in January and a hard hit ended his season on April 5. It's good news he's making progress, but we'll have to monitor that progress this summer.