The 33-year-old had a microdiscectomy, a procedure designed to provide relief from pain caused by a herniated disk, in which the herniated portion of the lumbar disk is removed, according to spine-health.com.
Parise had declined to confirm that the injury issues were related to his back but acknowledged it was a problem he wanted to have completely cleared up before playing in a game. Parise has missed 48 regular-season games because of injury in the past four seasons.
"I feel like I've been playing too much lately at below 100 percent, and it gets to be a challenge after a while," Parise said on Oct. 9, the last time he publicly discussed the injury. "So at least to start the season, I'd like to feel good going into the season and not be worried about an injury."
The Wild are also without forwards Charlie Coyle (fibula) and Nino Niederreiter (ankle), who were injured against the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 12 and placed on injured reserve the next day. Forward Mikael Granlund will return Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks at Xcel Energy Center (8 p.m. ET; FSN, SNV, NHL.TV) after missing five games with a groin injury.
"I think we're a pretty deep team," Granlund said. "Even when we're missing a couple of guys, we have guys who can step up. We'd love to get those guys back as soon as possible, but injuries happen and you've just got to battle through it and get better all the time."
Parise had 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists) in 69 games for Minnesota last season. He's in the sixth season of a 13-year, $98 million contract and has 661 points (318 goals, 343 assists) in 830 NHL games.
"He's obviously a great player," forward Jason Zucker said. "The stuff he brings on the ice goes without saying. He's also a great leader. He's a great guy to have around the room. We obviously miss having him.
"With the way he works, he'll be back and he'll be back stronger than ever. We are excited for that day when he can come back and join us."
