Islanders: Remembering the failed Zach Parise trade

Remember the 2020 trade deadline? The one where the New York Islanders acquired Jean-Gabriel Pageau from the Ottawa Senators? That wasn’t going to be the only big move the Islanders were going to pull off at that trade deadline.

There was a deal in the works with the Minnesota Wild to acquire future/current Islander Zach Parise. Let’s remember that failed deal now that the Isles have Parise (not yet confirmed by the team) for “free”.

Remembering the New York Islanders failed trade for Zach Parise

So, the deal between the Wild and Islanders was reported to be Parise to the Island while the Wild pick up Ladd, and Kieffer Bellows. I remember hearing that a first was going back to Minnesota, and that’s why the deal fell through because the Isles moved that first to Ottawa for JGP. But that rumor seems to have disappeared now.

So, let’s just consider the deal as we know it now.

Picking up Parise last year would have meant picking up that huge contract. Remember, before the Wild bought Parise out, he carried a $7.538,462 million cap hit through 2024-25. By moving Ladd in the deal, the Isles would have effectively been on the hook for $2.038,462 million of that but for only two years. Ladd’s deal expires in 2022-23.

That means the Isles would have been on the hook for the full cap hit of Parise’s deal in the final two years. When he would have been 39 and 40 years old. Not ideal.

Now, the Islanders get Parise for (probably) league minimum. Which is roughly 10% of what Parise’s cap was previously.

What About Bellows?

With Minnesota buying out Parise, Lou Lamoriello was given a huge lifeline to sign a player he definitely wanted. He can sign him to a smaller/more manageable deal and he still gets to keep the main asset he as going to give up; Kieffer Bellows.

With Parise coming to the Island, Bellows’s spot is effectively gone. Meaning he now goes into the pile of 13th forwards competing for a spot on the team.

Which isn’t great for him. But from an Islanders perspective, they can now move him for a LHD to fill the gap left by trading Leddy to Detroit.

It’s funny how things have a way of working themselves out. Sure, the Isles failed to get Parise at the 2020 trade deadline, but waiting what is generously 1.5 seasons, they’re able to get him for much less and keep the piece (or pieces if you still consider that 2020 1st) that would have gone to the Wilde to service other needs.