18-year NHL Veteran making NHL return as he's spotted practicing with his original team

PUBLICATION

Sam Walker
December 15, 2023 (1:47 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

In a recent update shared by NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, it seems that Zach Parise, a seasoned winger with 18 years of NHL experience, is contemplating a return for a 19th season. Initially, there were indications that if Parise were to come back, it would be with the New York Islanders, as hinted by both him and Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello.

However, Chris Johnston of The Athletic, in a TSN Insider Trading segment, reveals that playoff-bound teams eyeing the Stanley Cup are now expressing interest in signing Parise. Despite being 39 years old, Parise showcased his value in the last two seasons with the Islanders, notably contributing 21 goals and 13 assists in the 2022-23 season while carrying a minimum salary deal with undisclosed bonuses.

Known for his prime years as a consistent 30-goal scorer, Parise may not have reached that milestone recently but has maintained scoring proficiency with four more seasons of at least 20 goals, the latest being in the previous season. This makes him an appealing choice for teams looking to bolster their bottom-six forward group.

Considering Parise's willingness to sign a minimum-salary deal with incentives last season, a similar arrangement is likely this time. A one-year contract would make him eligible for such a deal, with a two-year agreement at his age seeming improbable.

This contract structure would be financially feasible for contending teams, even if they are close to the salary cap. Bonuses could be rolled over and counted against their 2024-25 cap sheet. However, any signing team would need to make roster adjustments to accommodate Parise, with the removed player earning the minimum salary or more.

Friedman, in his 32 Thoughts column, reported that Parise has been actively training in Minnesota, indicating his readiness to sign an NHL contract. While the Islanders were initially seen as frontrunners, it now appears that Parise will have several options to consider when deciding which team to join for the upcoming season.