The Minnesota Wild are sending a message to a longtime fixture of the franchise.

Zach Parise will be a healthy scratch against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday night for the first time in his tenure with the Wild, and only the second time during his 16-year career, according to The Athletic's Michael Russo.

Parise skated Wednesday, but he didn't take part in line rushes.

"Not going to get into details, but we as an organization and staff make a decision each night and we've made the decision to go with the lineup that we're going with," said Wild head coach Dean Evason. "It's a group decision, and Zach's out here tonight.

"You hope you go forward when something like this happens and hope you can turn it into a positive," the bench boss added.

Parise didn't go off for a line change with Nico Sturm and Marcus Foligno late in Minnesota's overtime loss to Vegas on Monday night, instead remaining on for 1:33 of ice time. During that extended shift, he deflected Golden Knights forward Max Pacioretty's pass right to Mark Stone, who fed Alex Tuch for the tying goal with about 42 seconds left in regulation.

Parise's role has gradually diminished throughout the season. He began the campaign on the team's top line, but the forward has since been demoted to the bottom six.

The 36-year-old has collected only three goals and six assists over 19 games in 2021. The veteran's average ice time of 16:38 is the lowest since his rookie season in 2005-06.

Parise was last made a healthy scratch on Nov. 30, 2005 while with the New Jersey Devils, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. The last time he missed a game while not injured or ill was April 7, 2018 when Parise sat out the final contest of the Wild's regular season to rest for the playoffs, according to the Star-Tribune's Sarah McLellan.

He's been an alternate captain since joining the Wild in 2012, and only new captain Jared Spurgeon carries a larger cap hit than the $7.5 million both Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter carry.

Parise ranks third on the Wild's all-time goals and points lists, and sits seventh in games played despite spending his first seven seasons with the Devils.

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