Islanders Zach Parise Undecided About Future; Teammates React

New York Islanders forward Zach Parise opened up about where his mind was at in terms of his future, while his teammates shared how important he was to their group.

A blank stare. A frozen posture. 

That's what we saw at Zach Parise's locker when we entered the New York Islanders locker room following their Game Six elimination.

It was the look of a 38-year-old who may have played his final game in the NHL.

While the loss still stings for Parise and his teammates, we got to speak to the 18-year veteran on Monday about continuing his career. 

READ MORE: The Islanders Very Like-able Clubhouse Will Change, Which Means a Retool

"I haven't decided anything," Parise said. "I'm going to take a couple of weeks and get away from stuff for a little bit and just see where it's at, but I haven't decided anything yet. 

"I think it would be here or nowhere, but I just feel like that's how it would be."

That was the same answer former Islanders -- and coincidentally former New Jersey Devil -- Andy Greene said at the end of last year before he hung the skates up after a 16-year career. 

After being bought out by the Minnesota Wild following the 2020-21 campaign, not only did Parise join the team his late father J.P. Parise played for, but he was back playing for general manager Lou Lamoriello, who drafted him 17th overall back in 2003 while at the helm of the New Jersey Devils. 

Although Minnesota had been home and still is for his family, he looked at that buyout as a blessing in disguise.

"It's a blessing in disguise being able to get bought out and come back and play for Lou (Lamoriello) again because it's unbelievable," Parise said. 

"It's the best. It's hard to describe, but he does everything to make sure you're just focused on playing hockey. All the distractions are gone.

"I had an old teammate of mine tell me this a while ago. He said everyone that comes in the league, it should be a requirement to come play for Lou for at least one season. I mean, you learn how to be a pro, everything is done professionally in the right way, and I'm happy (I got to)."

As for the opportunity to wear the same blue and orange his father wore, that was special.

"It's been great, really. I remember him when he got traded here, almost saying that he was dreading coming here," Parise said. "He'd never been and was dreading it, and then he said he fell in love with the place and then was devastated when he had to leave, you know? 

"I understand what he's talking about. This is a great place to play. A great community, and the organization is outstanding, so, for us to be able to share something like that, it's pretty neat."

Some may be sitting here asking themselves why Parise wouldn't want to come back for a third season with the Islanders. Despite turning 39 soon, Parise is coming off a strong season with 21 goals and 13 assists, playing in all 82 games for a second consecutive year. 

But then you must remember that Parise is more than just a hockey player. 

He's a father, whose kids and wife did not move from Minnesota when he moved to New York.

"It's been tough being away from the family and being away from the kids for a couple of years. That's hard," Parise said.

Now, he has his reasonings to keep playing, too. 

"Since day one, we all have that dream of chasing the cup, you know what I mean? And that's no different if you're 18 or you're 38 like I am," Parise said. "I mean, we're all chasing that thing. So that's always a draw."

But there's another one.

"And honestly, you just enjoy being around these people so much that it's that's a huge draw also," Parise added.

"I think all of us as teammates embrace each other and appreciate what each guy brings to the table and what each guy does. And the feeling is mutual. It's a great, great group of people. And, like I was saying, I'm very fortunate to get the chance to play here, and it's been awesome."

Parise's numbers may have fluctuated throughout his career, but his worth ethic and desire to be at his best never did, which is something that didn't go unnoticed by his teammates.

"One of my favorite teammates I have ever played with," Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech said. "Just such a great guy. So impressive, his longevity, the way that he is still able to perform. He had a great year. 

"I think he can play as long as he wants. I think we are all crossing our fingers that he'll come back."

Islanders forward Mathew Barzal had the privilege to sit next to Parise in the locker room the last two years and called him the standard.

"Zach is just the standard really, off the ice, especially just the way he treats his body," Barzal said. "He works out more than probably anybody, focuses on the game at all times, and he's just a pro. 

So I think every guy in that room no matter if you're a young guy or if you're in your 30s, everyone's taking a little piece from Zach's work ethic."

Parise's other stallmate, and linemate Jean-Gabriel Pageau, learned a lot from him over these last two seasons. 

"He's one of the best linemates I've had the chance to play with," Pageau said. "Over the years, I've learned so much, and I'm learning so much from him, not only off the ice but on the ice. 

"We like to communicate a lot. He sits beside me in the locker room also. So I get to ask a lot of the questions. Sometimes I'm sure they're dumb questions, but he's answering all of them, and he's been around for so long and has had so much success in his career, that whatever his answer was, I'm learning from it. And I was just trying to enjoy every time we were on the ice together, I felt we had a good connection, and we kind of got to know each other, where we would be on the ice, and I think he made it easy for me to play with him."

Zach Parise will take the time before making his decision, but if this is indeed it, it's been a heck of a career. 

You can tell by watching just the kind of player he is, but he's more than just his on-ice achievements. As you read, he was a tremendous asset in the room, and that's invaluable.