Parise feeling 100 percent following sternum injury

When he's healthy, there is no denying Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise's ability to put up points.

Related: Parise suffered broken sternum in Game 3; reportedly out 6-8 weeks

So, following a season in which the 33-year-old underwent back surgery and suffered a fractured sternum in the playoffs, Wild fans should be excited to hear that Parise expects to be ready for the start of the 2018-19 campaign.

"I don't anticipate that being a problem," Parise said Saturday, confirming that he feels 100 percent, according to Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "It feels good."

Parise missed 40 games after his back surgery in October. Following his return, he registered 15 regular-season goals - 12 of them in his last 18 contests - and nine assists, only to suffer the sternum injury in Game 3 of the first round of the postseason.

He says he's been skating for "a while" and is encouraged by his play down the stretch.

"It was nice to feel normal again on the ice. That was the biggest thing for me. ... That was relieving," Parise said. "I'm looking forward to doing that again next season."

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