Two goals in 23 games - what is wrong with Zach Parise?

Zach Parise has played so poorly and sulked so often over the last couple of months that the Wild bosses may have to ponder the previously unthinkable about their franchise player.

They have to hope Parise is hurt.

Parise scored what would prove to be the deciding shootout goal on Saturday, but there are 10 games remaining in the season and a rival to catch to make the playoffs, and Parise can no longer afford to wait until the shootout to show up.

He earned a minus-one rating against Carolina, a bad road-weary team. He managed one shot and didn't record a hit. He didn't make his presence felt until the third.

He has scored two goals in the last 23 games. He has 19 on the season, putting him on pace for his lowest goal total in a full season since he was a rookie.

He has declined to fight his way to the front of the net and score on his signature tip-ins. He has acted put-upon during recent postgame interviews, and on Saturday did not make himself available despite being requested by the Star Tribune.

During his first three seasons with the Wild, Parise made himself one of the most endearing athletes in town. He played with abandon, practiced with passion, kept himself in excellent shape, provided visible leadership, scored big goals, played admirable defense and acted as much like a regular guy as anyone with a $98 million contract can.

The story of this disappointing season began with Parise bringing in Adam Oates to coach him on the power play, angering the team's brain trust. Thursday night, he was one of many Wild players who made little effort while giving up seven goals to a punchless New Jersey team. Saturday, Parise was invisible for two periods before investing himself in the third period.

"I'm sure we'd like him to get more," Wild interim coach John Torchetti said. "We're winning. Now it's time. If he starts putting the puck in, it will probably relieve tension on both sides for us.

"He's a good player, good things will happen for him, just keep working hard. His game is coming now, he's getting chances, so that's a good sign."

Torchetti is offering an optimistic view of Parise because he needs him, as does the entire franchise. Parise is signed for nine more seasons after this one, and neither he nor the team seem happy about the direction they're moving together.

The Wild bosses were reportedly livid about his recruitment of Oates. Parise's play is one of many reasons the team had to fire Mike Yeo, who in an interview with Wild beat writers painted an unflattering picture of his dealings with Parise.

Parise is 31. He is either in decline or injured. The Wild have to hope it's the latter. The former would leave owner Craig Leipold a mediocre roster filled with bad contracts and disappointing youngsters, courtesy of GM Chuck Fletcher.

Parise recently missed two games because of an upper-body injury, although the team now says he is healthy. Saturday, he looked tentative for two periods, but was able to skate with speed and get to the front of the net later in the game. He did look like he was avoiding contact along the boards, but so were many of his ­teammates.

Minnesotans have learned to regret large sports contracts, particularly the one signed by Parise's friend Joe Mauer.

Mauer signed a massive deal at a moment of extreme negotiating leverage and quickly became a symbol of everything that is wrong with the Minnesota Twins and guaranteed money.

Parise was supposed to be different, a star with a grinder's ­mentality. This season, he has performed poorly, gotten one coach fired, and begun to duck interviews or conduct them as if his time is too valuable to spend discussing the state of his hometown team.

Parise may be hurt. That's what the Wild has to hope. They can't afford to have him turn into a sour Mauer.

Jim Souhan's podcast can be heard at MalePatternPodcasts.com. On

Twitter: @SouhanStrib. • jsouhan@startribune.com