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Parise...latest from a source. What 8 Teams are testing the waters and why? |
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I had the chance to sit down with a key source over the weekend and here are some quick hits...also previewing the Rumor Chart (due out shortly)
Parise...
I truly get the sense the end on the road in NJ is upon Zach, and now there are other reports touching on what I had mentioned last week...NJ is measuring interest and making decisions. There has been almost no movement so far on the signing front and many are curious what Lou will do next here..
The source I sat down with put it this way,
"NJ is at a major crossroads and management, along with ownership, knows or should I say fears the Devils not being able to maintain a solid revenue stream though a rebuild. Lamoriello will be able to get some definite key pieces to bridge the gap here and keep the bottom from falling out, by Parise is the only way. combine this with a perception that Parise may want to go elsewhere to continue his career, to a team where he could be "the guy." This decision was made back when Kovalchuk was signed, and that was not Lou's call. I believe signing Kovalchuk was the right call, and there are positives to be gained here by restocking with the great parts you could get from Parise.."
I disagree with my source here...my opinion was signing Kovalchuk was not the right play, and I would have rather the team found a more complimentary piece to their puzzle. A piece that also could have solidified Parise's part...
However, my source believes this whole issue goes even deeper...
"The trading of Langenbrunner impacted Parise in a deeply personal way. he was the mentor and Zach hated the way it all went down...that may have been as impactful as his shifting role following the trunkful of money they backed up to pay Ilya."
As for the teams interested...while it is easy to say "everyone" it isn't exactly the case. You need to look to the teams willing to go for it this season. You could get Parise for free at the end of the year, but some teams may need to dump salary and a UFA doesn't always help that equation.
The teams I have heard most interested are Toronto, St. Louis, Detroit, Minnesota, Nashville, LA, Colorado, and Buffalo.
On the Leafs... Burke and Wilson believe in their Team USA star completely. However, the Leafs are keeping tabs on some other big names as well...Rick Nash, Getzlaf, Doan, Perry, and Possibly Eric Staal (although I am not 100% convinced on that front) are all on the radar for teams interested in Parise.
On the Blues... The Halak to Toronto rumors are building today...and that would be a stellar move in my opinion..The Blues are a fine tuned machine right now, and will try to get better at the deadline. Hitchcock is known for grabbing players he loves for the playoffs.
On Detroit...they have the players NJ wants I am told...the question is will they go for it in what would be an out-of-character move in many ways.
On Minnesota...The Wild are battling a serious 2-6-2 slump that has taken them from near the top of the West and an assured spot, to 8th. Expectations are too high to fall any further. Everyone I talk to says the Wild are aggressively looking for help right now.
On Nashville...The Preds are in a similar boat, and while they wouldn't sign Parise long term, they could give the Devils the kinds of pieces they want on the defensive end and could also send NJ a possible heir to the goalie position.. The Preds need to win a round or two to stay the course and I am reminded of how this team once picked up Forsberg.
On LA... I can't help but remember a conversation I had with a person with the Kings aft they felt "played" by Kovalchuk after he signed in NJ. That person said," well just wait until we have a shot at Parise and they can't afford him. Then we will have the better player."
Colorado... staying on the bubble consistently but needing to inject energy into their lineup and perhaps help jumpstart Stastny the aValanche are another team who may over-pay for Parise...The combination of Parise and Duchene would be as dynamic as any combo and the Avalanche have quietly built up some solid depth this year and youthful depth to deal from..
On Buffalo...The Sabres aren't going to sit pat by any stretch and from what I hear there are some very influential Sabres players who are pushing to explore acquiring Parise. THe Sabres have been a disappointment for sure, yet I can't help but feel they're a threat still. When you look at all the injuries and all the players who went could at the same time...up and down the line-up..they are 1 game under 500 and 7 points back of a playoff spot. To get to that spot they will need to make a significant run, but when I look at all the teams from 9-15 in the East, the Sabres are the one team I could see easily making such a run...
Up next..
The latest on Calgary, Iginla, Montreal, Semin, Getzlaf and more..
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