A look at the 5 key unrestricted free agents for the NY Islanders this off-season

Zach Parise

If Parise wants to be back on the same financial terms he's played on during the last two seasons, it's hard to envision the Islanders or any other NHL team not wanting him on their roster, given the $750K AAV cap hit he's had a result of being paid by the Minnesota Wild following his buyout before the 2021-22 season.

The production from the ageless ironman has been among the best bargains in the league over the last two seasons and has afforded the team to spend cap space elsewhere. During the 2022-23 season, Parise played all 82 games for the second consecutive season with the Islanders and finished the year with 21 goals, becoming the first 38-year-old in team history to score more than 20 in a season. He was also the team's nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy.

Parise is likely to take a step back and talk things through with his family before making a decision if he wants to come back for his 19th NHL season. As he still chases that elusive Stanley Cup, you wonder if it's between the Islanders and retirement for Parise or, after two seasons on Long Island, he'd be open to a different situation if it offers a better chance to win with similar playing time.