Yeah, I'm in shock. Along with a bunch of other hockey nuts in the Garden State.
Zach Parise is New Jersey history. After seven great years (OK, one was a rehab year), he has decided to move west with his bride. Well, actually, she will be moving east from North Dakota.
Apparently, Zach will trade in his #9 for a new #11. He will get a Minnesota Wild New Jersey. Pun intended. It's already on sale in the NHL store. They have to make a buck some way, now that the arenas are empty and the Stanley Cup is making its summer rounds.
I spoke with Scott Oake (google him) and he told me that people on the inside were not surprised. The Minnesota Wild had the bucks to attract the TWO top unrestricted free agents. How could Zach resist a chance to play with Ryan Suter, and to play in his hometown? The choice boiled down to the Wild and the Devs. Money was not the issue. Location trumped bucks.
His future is assured. Was it ever in doubt? Actually, yes it was. Just one year ago, nobody knew if Parise could come back and regain his form after a bad injury and rehab. But, donning the C, he roared back and set himself up as hockey's biggest plum. The Wild picked him. He will now wear red and green. That's right - the Wild colors are sort of the reverse of the original Devils hues.
It was a no brainer, and nobody can possibly blame him for it. This is NOT a Scott Gomez going across the river for bigger bucks. This was the right thing for a young man about to be married in front of his folks and the people he grew up with.
Zach, New Jersey's going to miss you. Until Veterans Day, that is. On Sunday November 11, the Minnesota Wild come to town to play at Prudential Center. I don't know about you, but I will be there. I will probably cheer for Zach until he scores his first goal against his former teammates.
Hats off to the Parise family. A tough decision, but in the long run, it is surely right for them. Will Parise, Suter and company make the Wild competitive? Time will tell.
Hockey Rules!
No comments:
Post a Comment