Parise (back) said there's no question that he'll be available for the World Cup of Hockey in September and the start of the 2016-17 NHL season.

EDGE Analysis

Parise decided against surgery to treat a herniated disk in his back, but nonetheless, the rehab is said to be going well. Minnesota was defeated by Dallas in the conference quarterfinals, a playoff round that Parise was unable to take part in due to his ailing back. Still, with his condition improving and the Wild bringing in Bruce Boudreau as the new coach, it looks like the star forward is well on his way to a fresh start in 2016-17.

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."

EDGE 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 his progress this summer.

Parise hopes rehab will be enough to avoid back surgery, Michael Russo of The Star Tribune reports. "It's too early to tell, but I'm optimistic that therapy and the rehab is working really well, that we're going to be able to avoid that," Parise said.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old left winger tallied 53 points (25 goals, 28 assists) in 70 games this season before sustaining a season-ending lower back injury on April 5. Team doctors discovered that Parise was playing with a herniated disk that put pressure on a nerve in his lower back. Despite wanting to avoid surgery and a lengthy post-op rehab, a decision needs to be made soon if he wants to be ready by the start of next season.

Coach John Torchetti indicated Wednesday that Parise (back) remains week-to-week at this point.

EDGE Analysis

There's been no indication he was making significant progress in his recovery, so it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that Parise's timetable remains pretty open-ended. It's quite possible he's played his last game of the season for the Wild, especially if they don't make it out of the first round. The team will likely update his status again when he begins moving in the right direction.

Coach John Torchetti indicated Sunday that Parise (back) isn't getting much closer to rejoining the Wild lineup, Chad Graff of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Season-ending spinal surgery hasn't been ruled out for Parise, and it's seemingly becoming a more likely option at this point. It's quite possible the Wild (trailing 2-0 to the Stars) could be an early exit from the playoffs anyway, which would make the decision easier for their star winger. His status should be updated again when more information becomes available, but things certainly don't look too promising.

Parise, who's already been ruled out for Games 1 and 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Stars, saw a back specialist at the Mayo Clinic on Monday, and will have physical therapy to treat his injury, the Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

As noted in the report, if physical therapy doesn't heal the sniper, then he may have to undergo season-ending spinal surgery. Despite missing 12 games in the regular season having dealt with an upper-body injury, Parise still led the team with 25 goals, and he was extremely clutch with seven game-winners. Jason Zucker and Nino Niederreiter are likely to take on an expanded role with Parise's status looking increasingly murky.

Parise (back) has been ruled out for Games 1 and 2 against the Stars and remains without a timetable for return.

EDGE Analysis

Without multiple star players, the Wild will likely have a tough time stretching the series. The earliest Parise could now return is Game 3 when the Wild return home, but it doesn't sound promising at this point. Jason Zucker will likely continue on the top line in the star winger's absence, with Nino Niederreiter skating in the top six as well.

Parise is dealing with a back issue and remains uncertain for Thursday's Game 1 against the Stars while officially being listed as day-to-day by the team, Michael Russo of the Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Parise failed to take part in Monday's practice and his ultimately availability for Game 1 will essentially hinge on his ability to take part in Wednesday's practice. While the team officially lists Parise with an undisclosed injury, the 31-year-old has recently dealt with numbness in his legs and feet, likely stemming from the herniated disk he suffered back in January. If he ultimately sits, Chris Porter is the expected candidate to replace Parise in the lineup which already includes David Jones and Mikael Granlund.

Parise (unspecified issue) missed Monday's practice, Chad Graff of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

What, if anything, Parise is able to do at practice Wednesday figures to be pivotal with regard to his status for Thursday's playoff opener against the Stars on the road. As of Sunday, coach John Torchetti indicated that Parise is considered day-to-day.

Coach John Torchetti indicated Sunday that Parise is day-to-day and won't say whether or not he'll be ready for Game 1, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Parise's absence from Saturday's game was originally labeled maintenance, but it sounds as though there's a chance he could miss Game 1 of the first round. However, it's quite possible Torchetti is also just keeping his status unknown for strategic reasons. Still, it's worth taking into account his questionable status if drafting in playoff pools. Further updates on the star winger's status should come as the contest approaches.