Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.
Zach Parise (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)
The wait for Zach Parise’s decision about his future in the NHL has wandered throughout the entire summer as the New York Islanders remain patient with the veteran 39-year-old left-winger.
Following the 2022-23 season, which further proved that the Minnesota native still has plenty left in his skates after recording 21 goals while playing in all 82 games for a second-straight season, Parise admitted that this upcoming year will either be with the Islanders or he’ll announce his retirement.
Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello exuded rare straightforwardness when asked about Parise in June, imploring that “we certainly want him back. We’ve told him that. We’ll encourage him any way we possibly can.”
In his two years with the Islanders, the former All-Star has embodied everything Lamoriello’s Islanders have been about since his arrival for the 2018-19 season. He’s a versatile forward who was a contributor in all three facets of the game: Even strength, the power play, and the penalty kill.
While the door appears to still be open for his return back to Long Island should he want it, how would the Islanders accommodate him?
Lamoriello fulfilled his top priorities this offseason by signing winger Pierre Engvall to a seven-year contract and avoiding free agency. He also retained winger Hudson Fasching — one of the biggest surprises of the Islanders’ 2022-23 season — to a two-year deal.
Oliver Wahlstrom is back healthy and could legitimately challenge for a first-line spot and with the abundance of returning contributors, space already appears to be thin to slot Parise back into the lineup:
2023-24 Islanders projected forward lines (as of 9/4/23)
- Oliver Wahlstrom – Bo Horvat – Mathew Barzal
- Pierre Engvall – Brock Nelson – Kyle Palmieri
- Anders Lee –…
Read the full article here
