Islanders Officially Move On From Parise...For Now

We have been patiently waiting for the New York Islanders to make a move with unrestricted free agent Zach Parise. The veteran has spent the past two seasons with the Islanders on a league-minimum deal and still performed well last season. For a team that lacks offense, he provided a good deal.

Arthur Staple reported that Lou Lamoriello said Parise will not come to camp with the Islanders. He didn't rule out something down the line like later in the season, but for now, he's home in Minnesota. Parise is 29 years old and has played 1224 NHL games over 18 seasons. He finished last season with 21 goals and 34 points as a middle-six winger. That put him third on the team in goals and sixth in points. If it isn't Parise's decision to take time away and contemplate his future, it is a very interesting decision by Lamoriello not to bring him back on another league-minimum deal.

The Islanders were the likely destination Parise was expected to sign with if he were to continue playing. Now that he won't be with them in camp, there's a chance another team swoops in to bring in some depth scoring at a very cheap price, whether it be on a contract or a PTO. The veteran was devastated after the Islanders' playoff loss last season, so it seemed as though he still had more to prove and would give it one more try to win a Stanley Cup. We will have to wait and see what happens with Parise. Something could happen soon with another team, or he may make a later season return to New York.