Zach Parise Resumes Skating, Islanders Return Remains

While the New York Islanders’ regular season is just underway, the team is adjusting to life without Zach Parise. But could he be on his way back sooner than later?

While the New York Islanders’ regular season is just underway, the team is adjusting to life without Zach Parise.

The Minnesota native was a pivotal part of the Islanders’ offense, tallying 20 goals last season and boasting a work ethic praised throughout the organization.

After the Islanders were eliminated from the playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes in April, Parise said he would take some time to consider his NHL future.

"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 I'm at, but I haven't decided anything yet.”

While he has not made a formal decision nor did he attend training camp, general manager Lou Lamoriello said he would leave the door open for the 39-year-old to return during the season.

"Zach Parise will not be here. Zach will be with his family," Lamoriello said. "We will see how the rest of the season goes. But right now, it's important for him to be there. He's spent a couple of years away, and so that is the decision at this point.

"To my knowledge, he is not retiring. In fact, I don't feel he will at this point."

Lamoriello’s knowledge seems to be correct over a month later.

On Thursday, The Athletic’s Chris Johnston shared the latest surround Parise:

“By all indications, though, the itch may be returning. Parise has resumed skating in an effort to build up his fitness should he decide to jump back into the fray.”

Johnston also suggested that Parise has the desire to win the elusive Stanley Cup, which could cap off a future Hall of Fame career. He gave an estimation of American Thanksgiving on when we’ll know if he completes the comeback effort.

Parise has gone on record stating that his decision comes down to returning to the Islanders or retiring. However, if he decides to come back on the ice, he brings tremendous value with him.

He adds depth to their forward group, which boasts Julien Gauthier and Oliver Wahlstrom as extras. Should he become a regular again, the Islanders gain more options with Simon Holmstrom, who could be a piece in a trade, or go down to Bridgeport and continue his development in the AHL.

The Islanders currently find themselves with just $534,034 in cap space, but Holmstrom’s $863,333 could easily come off the books (waiver-exempt), leaving around $1.4 million in available space.

Both of Parise’s deals with the Islanders carried a cap hit of $750,000, which is the league minimum.

“Zach, if you’re watching, get back here," Islanders Mathew Barzal said at the Islanders' annual golf outing. 

At Anders Lee's Jam Kancer event, the Islanders captain had this to say about Parise.

"We support Zach on everything he's going through," Lee said. "I mean, he's just meant so much to our room and to our team. Obviously, his game is still there. He can play this game for a long time and has that work ethic and that drive, and I'm excited for him, for his next next stage of his life. 

"Being a family man is really important to him, and he's a great father, so we'll see what happens, but regardless we got his back. We're just so happy for him. He's had such a phenomenal career."

Whether Parise is playing top-line minutes or a bottom-six role for New York, he is invaluable to this squad if he can still bring the energy that he’s brought consistently over his 18-year career.

It’s fitting that this news would come ahead of the Islanders' first meeting of the season against the New Jersey Devils. Lamoriello, while at the helm of the Devils, drafted Parise with the 17th pick at the 2003 NHL Draft and watched him become a star, captaining Jersey to a Stanley Cup Final in 2012, ultimately falling to the Los Angeles Kings in six games.

Parise’s first goal with the Islanders in 2021-22 actually came against the New Jersey Devils, a shorthanded tally that served as the game-winner in a 4-2 victory.

Check out the milestones that Parise could hit if he returns for a 19th NHL season.