Parise leaning toward testing Free Agent Market in Summer

This is Zach Parise's seventh year with the Devils and he has made it known many times that he wants to win the Stanley Cup. The question now is, will it be with the New Jersey Devils? Well, right now it is tough to say, but many analysts expect Parise to test the free agent market when noon hits on July 1st. For once, there will be a large number of suitors making an all out pitch for his services especially because there is not much talent afterwards. Zach Parise cannot legally sign a contract extension with the Devils until January 1st of 2012 at the earliest, but they can agree to one before then, but Lou Lamoriello has a closed door policy on negotiating contracts during the season, so it will be interesting if that policy will apply to Parise.

One reason Parise might leave the Devils is all due to the uncertain future of the organization on the ice particularly in goal. This year could potentially be the last for Marty Brodeur's storied career and the Devils do not currently have a goaltender that could be his full time successor, so they could be aggressive for one in the summer. But, Parise has made it known he wants to stay with Devils as well as the team has said they want him here long-term. However, if the Devils do not make the playoffs or make a long playoff run this year, it might just spell the end of Parise in a Devils uniform.

As mentioned above, Parise will have many suitors, likely the same teams that tried to sign current Devils teammate Ilya Kovalchuk a year ago in 2010. Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings are likely to make the biggest push for his services after failing to sign Brad Richards this past summer. Parise is represented by the same agents which represent Richards. Plus Leafs GM Brian Burke knows Parise well, since he played for his 2010 US Olympic team. Other teams likely to make a play for Parise will be the NY Rangers, NY Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers and basically every other team in some capacity. But, my guess is that he ends up staying with Devils, but it will be a very tough process.