There continues to be huge speculation that the Devils financial problems will affect the way Lou does business and his chances of re-signing Team Captain Zach Parise. However, the way I think of it, ownership issues or no ownership issues, it will have no bearing on his decision and he will keep his options open. The Phoenix Coyotes have had ownership issues and yet they managed to make the playoffs and make it all the way to the Western Conference Finals this past year. That could be a factor in Parise ultimately deciding to stay put in New Jersey on a long-term basis.
The Devils last Summer signed Parise, who was a Restricted Free Agent only to a 1 year contract worth $6 million dollars just so they can avoid the "dreadful arbitration process." Arbitration usually hurts the relationship between a player agent and the team management. The Devils elected to take Parise to team arbitration, but avoided the whole process. Based on Parise's body language, he was not too thrilled about the Devils even electing to go to arbitration with him, despite avoiding it and his agents Wade Arnott, Don Meehan and Pat Morris were not to thrilled either.
Parise is represented by the Newport Sports Agency, which represents high profile clients such as Steven Stamkos, Brad Richards, Ilya Bryzgalov, Drew Doughty, Mike Green, Dan Hamhuis, Jarome Iginla, Evander Kane, Wade Redden (Got his Money) among others. Last Summer they accounted for very high contracts for Brad Richards, Ilya Bryzgalov, Steven Stamkos and Drew Doughty. The most notable were Brad Richards and Ilya Bryzgalov, who took 9 year deals worth $60 million and $50 million respectively with the Rangers and Flyers. So, they would almost certainly like for Zach Parise to test the free agent market and waters.
I think Parise will stay eventually, but it will be a very tough and dreadful process with his agency. But, now the question. Will he be a huge loss and what do the Devils do next? In my opinion, Parise will be a huge loss in the short term, meaning the Devils will likely have to take a step back for about 2-3 years. They would still be a playoff team, but it will be very tough for them to win the cup or maybe even get past Round 1. I do not expect Lamoriello to pursue any Unrestricted Free Agents, but he might try to make a trade. The Free Agent Class this Summer appears to be very weak., so expect the Devils to experiment with a few rookies and prospects and players from the AHL which are ready to turn pro. If that does not work out, he will most certainly seek a trade.
But, bottom line is that Parise's decision will come down to winning and stability in goal. The Devils will have Marty Brodeur back in net next season and maybe very likely the following year. Is that stability? It is int he short-term. Parise might want assurances from Lou Lamoriello that he will sign or develop a capable successor to Marty that can take over and succeed. Will the current Stanley Cup Final appearance help the Devils chances? In my mind, I think it helps the Devils chances, but in Parise's mind, there could be a huge gap between winning the Stanley Cup and going to the Final and losing it. The Devils do have a winning pedigree and an outstanding coaching staff and DeBoer is likely here to stay for a very long time. That could be another factor in his decision. Is him being named captain a selling point for him staying in NJ? He will most certainly consider this as a Pro, not a Con. But, I guess we shall see, but it is not the end of the world should the Devils lose Zach Parise as he might only have 2-3 good years left in him. Plus his playoff production has not been as great as we wanted and come to expect from him.
The Devils last Summer signed Parise, who was a Restricted Free Agent only to a 1 year contract worth $6 million dollars just so they can avoid the "dreadful arbitration process." Arbitration usually hurts the relationship between a player agent and the team management. The Devils elected to take Parise to team arbitration, but avoided the whole process. Based on Parise's body language, he was not too thrilled about the Devils even electing to go to arbitration with him, despite avoiding it and his agents Wade Arnott, Don Meehan and Pat Morris were not to thrilled either.
Parise is represented by the Newport Sports Agency, which represents high profile clients such as Steven Stamkos, Brad Richards, Ilya Bryzgalov, Drew Doughty, Mike Green, Dan Hamhuis, Jarome Iginla, Evander Kane, Wade Redden (Got his Money) among others. Last Summer they accounted for very high contracts for Brad Richards, Ilya Bryzgalov, Steven Stamkos and Drew Doughty. The most notable were Brad Richards and Ilya Bryzgalov, who took 9 year deals worth $60 million and $50 million respectively with the Rangers and Flyers. So, they would almost certainly like for Zach Parise to test the free agent market and waters.
I think Parise will stay eventually, but it will be a very tough and dreadful process with his agency. But, now the question. Will he be a huge loss and what do the Devils do next? In my opinion, Parise will be a huge loss in the short term, meaning the Devils will likely have to take a step back for about 2-3 years. They would still be a playoff team, but it will be very tough for them to win the cup or maybe even get past Round 1. I do not expect Lamoriello to pursue any Unrestricted Free Agents, but he might try to make a trade. The Free Agent Class this Summer appears to be very weak., so expect the Devils to experiment with a few rookies and prospects and players from the AHL which are ready to turn pro. If that does not work out, he will most certainly seek a trade.
But, bottom line is that Parise's decision will come down to winning and stability in goal. The Devils will have Marty Brodeur back in net next season and maybe very likely the following year. Is that stability? It is int he short-term. Parise might want assurances from Lou Lamoriello that he will sign or develop a capable successor to Marty that can take over and succeed. Will the current Stanley Cup Final appearance help the Devils chances? In my mind, I think it helps the Devils chances, but in Parise's mind, there could be a huge gap between winning the Stanley Cup and going to the Final and losing it. The Devils do have a winning pedigree and an outstanding coaching staff and DeBoer is likely here to stay for a very long time. That could be another factor in his decision. Is him being named captain a selling point for him staying in NJ? He will most certainly consider this as a Pro, not a Con. But, I guess we shall see, but it is not the end of the world should the Devils lose Zach Parise as he might only have 2-3 good years left in him. Plus his playoff production has not been as great as we wanted and come to expect from him.
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