Islanders Milestone Watch: If Zach Parise Returns
Zach Parise has had himself an incredible NHL career. If he decides to return for a 19th NHL season and third with the New York Islanders, there are many milestones within reach.
We here at The Hockey News have begun our New York Islanders Milestone Watch series for the 2023-24 season. After kicking things off with Matt Martin, Cal Clutterbuck, Casey Cizikas, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, we move on to Zach Parise.
Zach Parise has had himself an incredible NHL career.
An NHL journey spanning 18 seasons with three clubs, Parise's game hasn't changed much.
While the goal total had been dipping over the years -- before potting 21 goals this past season -- the work ethic and on-ice leadership have been as strong as ever.
But after he and the New York Islanders fell victim to the Carolina Hurricanes after six games this past postseason, there's no answer as to whether or not Parise will be signing up for a 19th NHL season and third with New York.
"I haven't decided anything," Parise told us at the Islanders practice facility before summer vacation. "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."
When we spoke with general manager Lou Lamoriello in Nashville, he shared that Parise had not yet made a decision about his future.
If Parise does decide to hang up the skates, it would be a significant loss for New York, in the room and on the ice.
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"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."
"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."
If Parise decides to return -- citing that if he did, it would be with the Islanders -- the 39-year-old will have the chance at reaching some more milestones.
Already a member of the 1,000-game club, Parise sits 76 games shy of reaching 1,300 for his career. He would become just the 68th player in NHL history to accomplish that feat and just the seventh American to do so.
Dallas Stars forward and fellow American Joe Pavelski sits 50 games shy of 1,300 for his career.
Ironically enough, that number 76 is also the number of games Parise would have to play to tie the number of games his late father, J.P. Parise, played with the Islanders (240).
Like an infomercial, "But wait, there's more!"
Sitting at 879 career points, there's no question that Parise will reach the 900-point mark at some point this season. That would tie him with Tony Almonte for the 16th-most points by an American-born player.
We're still going.
Parise, who has been a valiant penalty killer throughout his career, is approaching 700 blocks, sitting just 15 shy of that number. He's coming off an 83-block campaign, so it's safe to say he will soar past that milestone with flying colors.
Although the Minnesota native isn't the biggest NHL player, standing at five-foot-11 and weighing 195 pounds, he doesn't shy away from throwing the body, specifically on the forecheck.
While the 1,000-hit milestone isn't a lock, Parise does sit 72 hits away and is coming off a season where he banged the body 89 times.
So, it's certainly possible.
Whether Parise decides to hang the skates up this summer or play another season, he has nothing left to prove in this game.
It will be up for debate whether or not Parise will be immortalized in the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame. But there's no debate about his place in the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.
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