ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Minnesota Wild already knew they were going to be without leading scorer Zach Parise during the team's road trip, which begins tonight in Ottawa. Now Minnesota isn't sure when they will get back one of their leaders.
Wild head coach Mike Yeo revealed Thursday that Parise has a concussion, according to the team's Twitter account. Parise didn't join the team for the road trip and met with doctors Wednesday.
There is no timetable for Parise's return at this time.
"Obviously a hole that is not easily filled," Yeo said Wednesday. "But there will be some opportunities for some guys here, for sure."
Parise leads Minnesota with 10 points this season and is tied for second with four goals.
Asked Wednesday if the injury could be long-term, Yeo said, "We hope not . . . Until we have a chance for him to meet with the doctors and then we hear back from them, then we'll know more."
The Wild have three straight road games at Ottawa, Montreal and New Jersey before hosting Buffalo on Nov. 13.
Minnesota is already without forward Matt Cooke (lower body) and defenseman Jared Spurgeon (upper body). Spurgeon is on injured reserve and Yeo said Cooke won't be on the road trip, as well.
Offseason addition Thomas Vanek took Parise's spot on a line with Mikael Granlund and Jason Pominville in Wednesday's practice. Vanek is second on the team with eight points and is tied for the lead with seven assists. Vanek and Pominville played together in Buffalo from 2005-12.
"He was brought here to produce offense," Yeo said of Vanek. "He's been moving around some different linemates and certainly lately he's been able to put up some points and help us there. The fact that he's had chemistry with Pommer in the past and has had that experience of playing with him, Granny's a smart player; we like to think that that line can definitely produce some offense."
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