Wild's Parise: 'For me, last year stunk'

In the midst of a record year for the Minnesota Wild, things didn't go according to plan for winger Zach Parise.

Parise was limited by nagging injuries and illnesses, and finished the season with only 19 goals and 23 assists in 69 games - his lowest full-season totals since his rookie season with the New Jersey Devils.

"For me, last year stunk," he said, according to Dan Myers of Wild.com. "I didn't play that well. I've been working on my game, hoping to put myself in a spot to not let that happen again."

Parise is entering the sixth year of a monster 13-year, $98-million contract signed with Minnesota in 2012, and the hope is he can come back refreshed and ready to help bring a Stanley Cup to his hometown.

For all the regular-season success achieved under first-year head coach Bruce Boudreau, the Wild fell in the first round of the playoffs to the St. Louis Blues in five games, with Parise contributing two goals and one assist.

"I think we all should be looking forward to coming back and playing again," he said. "I think it was a major letdown what happened in the playoffs. I think everyone should be coming back excited to start the season and give ourselves another chance."

The Wild advanced to the second round twice since Parise's arrival, losing to Chicago on both occasions.