Zach Parise will return to Minnesota's lineup Thursday after missing 14 games with a foot injury. "It felt good again this morning," he said after an optional morning skate. "So I think we're going to give it a shot. I'm excited. It's tough when you're watching the game from the press box for such a long time. So I'm looking forward to playing again." He is going to the start the game on a line with Charlie Coyle and Nino Niederreiter.

There's a good chance that Zach Parise returns to the lineup on Thursday night from a foot injury. He took part in full-contact drills and he skated on the top power-play unit during Wednesday's session. Parise said he would be a 50-50 shot to play and coach Mike Yeo wasn't ready to make a final decision either. "It's how he feels," Yeo said. "Conditioning is going to be something we have to see where we feel that's at. Also the battle, the pain, is there anything there? If he feels good to go, then obviously he's in." If he does end up playing then he might have his ice time scaled back even though he is projected to play alongside Charlie Coyle and Nino Niederreiter. We'll keep you posted on his status.

Zach Parise (foot) participated in Wednesday's practice. Parise said he has a "50-50" shot of playing on Thursday. He hasn't played since Dec. 22.

Minnesota Wild star Zach Parise is expecting to increase the intensity of his foot injury rehab this week, possibly even making a return on Thursday or Saturday. That seems a little ambitious. One might say that people said the same thing when he came back from an injury weeks ahead of time, but that's also what exacerbated his problems. He has 27 points in 37 games this season.

If Zach Parise gets clearance to particpate in contact drills on Monday, he could be ready to play as soon as Thursday against the Blackhawks. Parise fully expects to get the clearance so his return next week is a real possibility. Although he could play Thursday a more realistic return could be against San Jose on Saturday. We will update you as to Parise's status on Monday.

Zach Parise intends to add contact to his practice on Monday. Parise has missed a dozen games with a foot injury but appears to rapidly be closing in on a return as he has practiced for four days in a row. It seems that he is on target to get clearance for game action sometime next week.

Zach Parise (foot) looked good in Friday's practice, but there's no word on when he'll be available to take part in contact drills. "That's up to everybody else to tell me," Wild coach Mike Yeo said. "He is flying. Everything looks good, his skating looks good, his hands look good, and obviously [contact] is the next step. Just waiting for that." Parise has 15 goals and 27 points in 37 games in 2013-14.

Zach Parise (foot) participated in Wednesday's optional practice. Parise was sporting a non-contact jersey. "A couple times I found myself off balance, sometimes favoring the other foot," Parise said. "But after a while when I got comfortable using it, it felt pretty good. Quick starts, it felt much better than it did a month ago, so that's a good sign." He doesn't have a timetable for his return.

Zach Parise (foot) resumed skating on Tuesday. That's just a first step for Parise, who still isn't close to rejoining the Wild's lineup. Parise will be out for his 11th consecutive contest Tuesday night.

Coach Mike Yeo is hoping that Zach Parise (foot) will be back on the ice next week. There's no timetable in mind for when Parise might be able to resume practices, but getting back to skating would be a step in the right direction. "He's getting there," Yeo said. "He's feeling better. Obviously, we'd be very anxious for him to rejoin the group here. So, hopefully, sometime next week we can get him with us." Parise has been sidelined for the past eight games with a broken foot.