Zach Parise chose Avalanche because of their Stanley Cup contender status
The Islanders' Zach Parise skates during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Hurricanes on April 23 at UBS Arena. Credit: AP/Frank Franklin II
Zach Parise confirmed what Mathew Barzal said.
The 39-year-old left wing, speaking to the media in Denver on Sunday after his first practice with the Avalanche, said he wanted to join a strong Stanley Cup contender for what he expects to be his final NHL season.
That team was not the Islanders, with whom Parise spent the previous two seasons.
Parise will make his debut with the Avalanche against the Rangers on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
“Just from watching and playing against this group for a long time, it’s no secret how good they are,” Parise said, per NHL.com. “This being my last go at it, nothing’s guaranteed. But I want to put myself in a spot where you have a good chance. That’s all you ask for. So, to me, that was the biggest draw.”
The Avalanche, who won the Cup in 2022, are first in the Central Division at 32-14-3.
The Islanders (20-17-12) are fourth in the Metropolitan Division, four points out of a playoff spot. They are 3-8-3 since Dec. 31, and former coach Lane Lambert was fired in favor of Patrick Roy on Jan. 20.
Parise agreed to a one-year, $825,000 deal with the Avalanche on Jan. 26.
“Honestly, we would have loved to have him come here, but he’s got to make a decision for himself,” Barzal said the day after Parise signed. “I’m sure if we had won eight of the games that we probably could have this year and were 15, 16, 10 points even, ahead of where we’re at today, I’m sure he’d be in blue and orange. He knows his time is ticking and Colorado is a front-runner for winning the Cup. I wish that we had done a better job to allow him to come here.”
Parise had 21 goals and 13 assists in 82 games last season and said after the Islanders’ first-round playoff elimination that he expected to play for them “or nowhere” this season.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
