P-A Parenteau returns to Islanders on one-year contract

The New York Islanders announced Saturday evening they’ve signed winger Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau to a one-year contract. According to Newsday’s Arthur Staple, the deal is worth $1.25 million.

With the new contract, Parenteau returns to the team with which he had his most success in his NHL career to date. His best season came in 2011-12, when the 33-year-old recorded 67 points (18 goals, 49 assists) in 80 games, playing for the most part alongside Isles captain and star center John Tavares. He also had his first of two 20-goal seasons in his career while with the New York club back in 2010-11, which was his first full NHL season. Since his break out seasons with the Islanders, Parenteau has bounced around. He signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Colorado Avalanche in 2012. Then, after two seasons in Denver, was traded to the Montreal Canadiens. He played one year in Montreal before being bought out. Last summer, he signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs and led the team with 20 goals and finished second on the club with 41 points. It’s tough to say if the Hull, Que. native will immediately slide back into the role he enjoyed his most success with previously – alongside Tavares. The Isles are a much better club than they were four seasons ago, finishing with 45 wins and 100 points in the 2015-16 regular season. However, at the moment, it appears as though Parenteau, as well as newcomers Andrew Ladd and Jason Chimera, will essentially replace forwards Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen and Matt Martin, who all left the club to sign elsewhere via free agency. Whether or not he’s pegged to play with Tavares at moment, the Islanders’ management has to know the chemistry is there.

In his NHL career, Parenteau has played in 424 regular season games with the Leafs, Canadiens, Avalanche, Islanders, New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks, recording 268 points (101 goals, 167 assists) and 307 penalty minutes. He was originally drafted by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the ninth round (264th overall) in 2001.