Zach Parise returned to action on Thursday October 10.

Zach Parise scored in his second straight game and collected four penalty minutes in the Wild's 3-2 loss to Nashville. Parise's third goal of the year came on the power play. Parise is tied for second in the league in that category trailing only Alex Ovechkin.

Zach Parise left Monday's morning skate due to an illness. The good news is that Parise still traveled with the team to Nashville for Tuesday's contest. We're listing him as day-to-day to be safe, but he's still expected to participate in the contest.

Zach Parise netted two goals for the Wild who fell 4-3 in overtime against the Ducks on Saturday night. Parise's production slipped a bit last season with just 18 goals and 38 points, but the Wild are on the rise and Parise is in the middle of his prime. That makes him a good bet to return to the 30-goal mark this season. Jason Pominville potted the other goal for Minnesota.

Zach Parise is expecting more from himself this season. He recorded 18 goals and 38 points in 48 games during the lockout-shortened campaign, but he wants to be better. "For me, that's encouraging because I know I can be a lot better," Parise said. "I'm not going to say I was terrible, but it wasn't my best. For me, I thought it was just average." He will be much more comfortable in Minnesota this year and he's clearly motivated, so his numbers should improve. Play him with confidence this year.

Zach Parise is looking forward to the Winter Olympics and he likes the chances of the United States to take home a gold medal. He likes that the team could have a lot of returning players and he feels that they will play harder after experiencing success, and earning the silver medal, at the 2010 Games in Vancouver. Parise told NBC Sports about the disappointment Team USA felt the dressing room after their 4-3 overtime loss to Canada. The Americans will be looking to avenge that defeat in Sochi.

Spending megabucks on free agents often backfires in sports, but the NHL has one owner who is absolutely thrilled he invested his millions on free agents before last season. Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold spent nearly $200 million on forward Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter."We were fortunate to sign both," Wild GM Chuck Fletcher said. "Looking back now, in hindsight with a year removed, I can't even say how lucky we are that we did sign them. You hear horror stories of all these big free-agent signings that don't pan out, and we signed arguably the best defenseman in the league and one of the best goal scorers in the League. Both players lived up to expectations. They're great people." Suter averaged 27:16 of ice time per game (tops in the League) and was a finalist for the Norris Trophy in 2012-13. Parise led the Wild with 38 points (18 goals, 20 assists) in 48 games. Each played a pivotal role in helping the Wild clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2008.

Team USA is expecting a lot from Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise and defensemen Ryan Suter. "Ryan Suter should be our best defenseman and Zach Parise should be our best forward [in 2014]," Team USA GM David Poile said. "We think the world of them, and we're counting on them off and on the ice to be our best players." Parise and Suter are also both candidates to be named the team's captain. They signed matching 13-year/$98 million contracts with the Minnesota Wild in the summer of 2012 and excelled in their first year with the squad. Suter was particularly noteworthy by averaging an NHL-best 27:16 minutes per game.

Much like Team Canada, the United States will send out its 2014 Olympic orientation camp invites on Monday. While the U.S. won't end up with the same level of high-level snubs as Canada's loaded system, America still has come a long way. That's especially true in net, where there are a bevy of quality goaltenders and a limited amount of eventual spots.

Zach Parise finished Minnesota's playoff run with just one goal and a minus-seven rating in five games. Parise signed a massive contract with the Wild over the summer and it's hard to regard his first season as a success. It wasn't a disaster either though, as he did end up with 18 goals and 38 points in 48 games. Look for him to push at the 70-point mark in 2013-14.