Devils' Parise To Undergo Exploratory Surgery On Knee

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- If things weren't bad enough, the struggling New Jersey Devils are going to be without high-scoring left wing Zach Parise for an undisclosed amount of time.

Parise will have exploratory arthroscopic knee surgery to determine what has been causing him problems all season, Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said in a telephone interview.

Lamoriello did not disclose which knee was bothering the U.S. Olympian nor when the surgery would be performed, although it will be soon. He said tests have been inconclusive.

"We won't know how long he will be out until after the surgery," Lamoriello said.

The Devils, who have made the playoffs the past 13 seasons, are off to the worst start in the NHL this season, posting a 3-8-1 mark under new coach John MacLean.

Parise was sent home to New Jersey after the Devils' 3-1 loss to the Kings in Los Angeles on Saturday. He met with doctors after returning. Parise said in a recent interview that he hurt one of his knees skating in August.

Parise has been one of the major catalysts for the Devils since the 2006-07 season. In the past four years, he has scored 31, 32, 45 and 38 goals.

In the gold medal game against Canada in the Olympics, Parise scored the game-tying goal with 24 seconds left in regulation. Canada won the gold on a goal by Sidney Crosby in overtime.

Lamoriello also disclosed that rookie center Jacob Josefson will be sidelined six to eight weeks with a detached ligament in his right hand. He also will need surgery.

Josefson was hurt on Wednesday in a game against the San Jose Sharks. Lamoriello did not say whether the Devils planned any roster moves. New Jersey was to play at Vancouver on Monday night.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)