Zach Parise nears a decision on NHL future

The 2023-24 season got underway without veteran forward Zach Parise. After his New York Islanders were eliminated from the playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes in April, Parise had announced that he take time off hockey to think about his future in the NHL. He remains a free agent and could be nearing a decision on what he wants to do next with his career.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Parise is training hard in Minnesota and looks ready to go. The insider even hinting at a landing spot for the 39-year-old forward in his latest 32 Thoughts column:

“Not sure yet what it means for an NHL return, but Zach Parise ’s been skating pretty hard in Minnesota. I assume, when ready, it will be the Islanders.”

When the Islanders hit the ice at training camp in September, general manager Lou Lamoriello has expressed his wish to bring Parise back on his roster, and could extend a contract to the veteran if he does choose to retunr to the NHL. This is what Lamoriello had said on Parise in September:

“Zach Parise will not be here. Zach will be with his family,” Lamoriello said. “We will see how the rest of the season goes. But right now, it’s important for him to be there. He’s spent a couple of years away, and so that is the decision at this point.

“To my knowledge, he is not retiring. In fact, I don’t feel he will at this point.”

It sounds like Lou is correct and Parise keeps putting in the efforts for a return. There is a sense that Parise remains after the elusive Stanley Cup, which could cap off a future Hall of Fame career.

Chris Johnston also reported Parise’s training in Minnesota on Insider Trading on TSN, but added that while the Islanders may want him back, the veteran forward could be headed to other suitors, maybe Cup contenders getting involved to acquire his services.

“ And I think where this gets interesting is that the Islanders have kept the door open to Zach Parise, they wanted to bring him back for a third season this year, but in the meantime here, you’ve got other teams, and some teams with a legitimate chance of winning the Stanley Cup that have entered the picture and expressed some interest in him. And so, when he does get to the point where he’s ready to return, ready to sign a contract, Zach Parise is going to have a decision to make, and that’s to try to go to a team, maybe, that he thinks has the best chance to win the Cup, or to stay loyal to the Islanders.”

The Islanders would be able to take on a deal for Parise if it looks like his previous contracts. Both of Parise’s deals with New York carried a cap hit of $750,000, which is the league minimum.

In all 82 games last season before taking a break, Parise had put up 21 goals and 34 points, but he failed to record a point in six playoff contests.

We want more from Parise and would love to see him back!

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