I get inspiration for blog entries at the most inopportune moments -- like when I’m supposed to be getting ready for work. But a conversation I had on Twitter last night sent me to bed with visions of hockey’s future dancing in my head.
Zach Parise -- #9 for the NJ Devils, the 25-year-old Minneapolis native will turn 26 on July 28th. Zach was the 17th overall draft pick in 2003, picked up by the Devils and passed over by -- Mike Milbury and the NY Islanders. It is one of those items that will be engraved on Milbury’s tombstone. It was one of those epic errors attributed to the ex-GM.
In the 2009-2010 season, Zach ended with 38 goals, 44 assists and a +24. Outstanding numbers for an outstanding young man. But at the end of this upcoming season, Zach Parise will be an RFA. That fact led me to my conversation last night and thoughts that perhaps it was possible to see Parise in an Islanders sweater.
While listening to EJ Hradek on ESPN radio 1050 last night, he mentioned that Zach Parise doesn’t have an agent. I tweeted out my surprise and was answered by Jeff Marek who announced that neither does Martin Brodeur.
In all seriousness, Brodeur doesn’t NEED an agent. He’s on his last professional contract and he got what he wanted: to spend his entire career with the team that drafted him. Why pay an agent for nothing? But Zach? Is he that comfortable in Devil Red? Couldn’t he be persuaded to make a move?
On July 12th, Lou Lamoriello was asked at a press conference if negotiations had begun with Parise and he answered
“We’ll certainly try to get that done as quickly as possible.” But Lou has other problems right now and they all have the name “Kovalchuk” on them.
Considering it is assumed that Zach’s payday for his next contract could be in the same astronomical ballpark as the one the Devils are trying to get the league to agree to with Kovalchuk; will the Devils actually be able to AFFORD two players with the same mega paycheck and still ice a competitive team?
The cap space problem made me dream of seeing that fine young American who has represented his country on Team USA nine times, skating out towards center ice in an Islanders jersey. He is already familiar with fellow Minnesota native Kyle Okposo and head coach Scott Gordon. This past February, Gordon became very familiar with Zach’s work ethic and skill on the USA Olympic team.
In an article by Michael Farber for Sports Illustrated, Marty Brodeur is quoted as saying Zach is a consummate professional that works extremely hard. His commitment is second to none and Marty recognizes his leadership qualities.
“It’s been my team for so many years here, but now I believe its his team. I may still be the face, but he’s the future.”
Brodeur is ready to turn over the keys to the kingdom. But there’s a new prince knocking at the door and he's got a Russian accent.
I say if there is
any possibility of prying this special hockey player from the clutches of New Jersey -- DO IT! Back up the same truck load of money the Isles were ready to dump on Ryan Smyth’s front lawn and drive it to New Jersey. Make Zach an offer he can’t refuse and give him a place where he would truly be worshipped.
It is a beautiful dream, but the question looms large: Would he even
want to skate for the Islanders? His father, J.P. Parise spent time with the Islanders and was comfortable here, but he was traded away and was not part of the cup run that became a Dynasty. While his name is NOT etched on the Holy Grail of hockey, it is feasible that Zach’s will be. Should there be any snowball’s chance in hell that he could skate for the Islanders, it would only increase the chances of bringing the Cup back to Uniondale.
So, Zach, with Ilya’s historic $102 million, 17-year deal clouding the future of the NJ Devils I’d like you to think about coming to Long Island. If you did -- we would worship the ice you skate on.
And then the alarm clock went off and the dream went -- POOF.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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