NHL Trade Rumors: Zach Parise Trade to Wild

Zach Parise of the New Jersey Devils is the top 2012 NHL Unrestricted Free Agent. Many teams are planning on making a bid for the left winger's services when he tests the waters of free agency on July 1st. 

The 27 year old left winger is a point per game player and is in his prime. He is coming off a one year contract worth a cap hit of $6 million. Parise is not pleased that he was forced by the Devils into arbitration when he was a Restricted Free Agent last summer. He is looking to sign with another team.

The Wild are $19 million under the salary cap that was set at $70.2 million for the 2012-13 season. Parise who grew up in the Twin Cities has local connections to Minnesota. GM Chuck Fletcher is going to be able to offer more money than other teams competing in this high-quality, low-quantity pool of unrestricted free agents. Look for the Minnesota Wild to offer Zach Parise $8-9 million per year for a long term.