Report: Multiple Contending Teams Pursuing Zach Parise

39-year-old Zach Parise wasn't sure whether he would come back to play again after the 2022-23 season, but it certainly appears that's he prepping himself for a return and a 19th NHL season. Parise is currently ramping up his training right now at home in Minnesota. And although most observers expect Parise to sign once again with the New York Islanders, it appears that's not a slam dunk, after all.

According to NHL Insider Chris Johnson, Parise does have some other suitors:

I think where this gets interesting is that the Islanders have kept the door open for him—they wanted to bring him back for a third year. But in the meantime, you've got other teams, some with a legitimate chance at winning the Stanley Cup, that have entered the picture and expressed some interest in him. 

So when he does get to the point that he's ready to sign a contract, Parise is going to have a decision to make: to go to a team that he thinks has the best chance to win the Stanley Cup, or to stay loyal to the Islanders.

Without ever having had a drink from Lord Stanley's mug, it's quite possible he'll look to take his best crack at one in what could be his final season. And after taking the league minimum last year from the Islanders, contending teams with cap issues shouldn't have a problem fitting him in if he goes the same route contract-wise.

The 11-time 20-goal scorer popped another 21 for the Islanders in 2022-23. He provided a solid 16 minutes a night on the third line, not missing a single game, completing, in fact, back-to-back full 82-game seasons on the Island.

In his 18-year career, Parise has scored 429 goals, with 450 assists for 879 points in 1,224 games.  

Photo: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports