Islanders and Zach Parise are a Perfect Fit

It finally became official and that was the New York Islanders signing Zach Parise. The Islanders and Parise are a perfect fit.

New York Islanders, General Manager, Lou Lamoriello had been trying to bring Parise to Long Island the last couple of years. He finally got his man.

Parise Fit

When the Minnesota Wild bought out Parise almost every hockey insider figured all roads led to Long Island. That assumption was made with good reason.

From Parise’s perspective, he wanted to continue to play but at this stage of his career, he also wanted to wind up with a team that has a chance to win the Stanley Cup. The 37-year-old winger knows he is not a first liner anymore but can still be a big contributing piece for a contender.

Also, Parise has played on plenty of Lamoriello teams and knows what they are about. Throw in the fact Parise played a long time in the New York-New Jersey area and it’s a no-brainer for Zach to wind up with the blue and orange. Let’s also not forget from a sentimental standpoint Zach’s dad J.P Parise best NHL moments were with the Islanders.

Isles Fit

From an Islander perspective, it’s a perfect fit as well. The Isles have a hole on the left side of their third line which currently has J.G Pageau and Oliver Wahlstrom. Getting another veteran who can add some scoring and fit in with the way Barry Trotz Islanders play is exactly what the Isles are looking for. The icing on the cake is while terms have not been disclosed yet Parise’s deal is expected to be a low-cost contract against the cap.

Let’s not forget Parise can help the Islanders on the power play too. As everyone knows the Islanders have struggled with the extra man at times. In the regular season last year, the Isles ranked 20th on the power play (18.8%). During the playoffs, the Isles were a touch better at 20.4% but at critical times (Game 7 in Tampa Bay) their power play failed them. Parise can help on the power play.

Expect Trotz to play Parise 12-15 minutes a night and get regular shifts with the extra man. Parise will fit in with the Islander mentality as well as someone who is part of the twenty-man unit. Zach is a player with leadership and intangibles which will add to one of the Islanders’ core strengths.

Parise and the Islanders could not have been a better fit.