Why the dislike of Parise....

There's a thread in the prospect section titled "Underrated & Overrated" and Parise must be the one of the leading canidates listed as "Overrated" by posters.

The kid has only played one season in the NHL. Did he light the world on fire as a rookie, no. Does he need to improve is game and strength, definitely.

However, he plays hard and hustles all the time, he back-checks, stands in front of the net and takes hits and doesn't whine about it. And near the end of the season you could see his confidence build and talent, skill and ability he possesses come out.

I believe he will one day be an excellent player and leader of the Devils.

Here is one sampling:
I'd call York a very good third liner... Parise will be an ordinary second liner, IMO... like 65 points in his prime. Of course it's a rivalry issue, but I think Dubinsky is a better prospect.

Because this board is all about young players and either what they could do (ie. a drafted player who hasn't played in the NHL yet) or what they have done in their short careers. I still remember all the Gomez bashers from nary a year ago who thought he was nearly worthless and should be dealt. How many geniuses on this board would have had Gionta as a potential 50-goal scorer even a year ago? I love HFBoards because it is fun to see what people think about different aspects of the game and its players, but the rate of flip-flopping is laughable. Trust me, if Parise comes out and scores 60-70 points this year (definitely possible if placed on the second line), this board will be singing his praises.

Because A LOT OF PEOPLE are still upset that:

1. The US beat Canada in the WJC and Parise was named the MVP

2. That Edmonton allowed NJ to trade up to get him.



From point 2; half of Canadian Fans are constantly is Trying to prove that Marc-Antoine Pouliot is a better prospect and Parise is just a small 2nd line center....Just calling it the way I see it...Don't mean to upset anyone.

I think most of it has to do with Pierre McGuire continuously ripping teams for not drafting Parise during the 2003 draft.

I think most of it has to do with Pierre McGuire continuously ripping teams for not drafting Parise during the 2003 draft.


I would agree except for the fact that it Started WAY before the draft even happened.

There were threads all over here talking about how Parise only scored against weaker opponents and played "soft" minutes and tons of other silly stuff.

What would NJ fans consider his potential? I would think a top flight 2nd line center or a decent 1st liner would be accurate.

Because A LOT OF PEOPLE are still upset that:

1. The US beat Canada in the WJC and Parise was named the MVP

2. That Edmonton allowed NJ to trade up to get him.



From point 2; half of Canadian Fans are constantly is Trying to prove that Marc-Antoine Pouliot is a better prospect and Parise is just a small 2nd line center....Just calling it the way I see it...Don't mean to upset anyone.


agreed, people are just bitter, especially about US beating Canada :bow:

agreed, people are just bitter, especially about US beating Canada :bow:

Which is also one of the reasons I think Alvaro Montoya has become extremely underrated as well.

What would NJ fans consider his potential? I would think a top flight 2nd line center or a decent 1st liner would be accurate.
That sounds about right.

Brandon Dubinsky though? Isles fans probably hate him because Maguire was yelling at them specifically because the knock on Parise was his size and they chose Nilsson who's about the same size riiiight before we traded up for Parise. I don't expect Parise to become an all-star center or anything, I think he should be a 65-75 point guy. For the middle of the first round, that's a good pick. However, some people wouldn't be satisfied unless he supplanted Gomez or something.

You should have seen when someone resurrected the thread from opening night where people said that Crosby was overrated. I remember chanting "Parise's better," not because I thought he was but because after five months of hype hype hype Parise had the better game. Plus it was a blowout of an overhyped Penguins team, we should be able to have fun.

What would NJ fans consider his potential? I would think a top flight 2nd line center or a decent 1st liner would be accurate.


I agree with your assessment. And although I believe Parise has the ability to one day be a good point producer, even if he turns out to be a 70pt. player, as he gets older he will bring other intangibles to the table that won't show up on the score sheet. You can already see it in the kid's eyes.

I agree with your assessment. And although I believe Parise has the ability to one day be a good point producer, even if he turns out to be a 70pt. player, as he gets older he will bring other intangibles to the table that won't show up on the score sheet. You can already see it in the kid's eyes.
Exactly, Parise has always been described as mature with good leadership qualities.

What would NJ fans consider his potential? I would think a top flight 2nd line center or a decent 1st liner would be accurate.

I'd agree with you on that one, and the fact that you guys have something special brewing with Lundqvist and Montoya. Henrik already showed what he can do, and I'm confident that Montoya should reach his potential. Who do you consider the better prospect, Parise or Prucha?

That's really hard to say. Prucha had, I think, the most goals per minute of ice time out of ANYONE in the NHL, which is something extroirdinary. He almost reminds me of our own version of Gionta -- pair him with a great playmaker and you have a ton of goals. Plus he's physical and goes to the next as Gionta does. He's certainly proven more than Parise has at this point.

It's hard to say, because I do think that Parise has a ton of potential and leadership aspects that Prucha does not posess. If you put a gun to my head to ask who I'd take, I'd have a hard time chosing but I would go with the more "sure thing" in Prucha.

I'd agree with you on that one, and the fact that you guys have something special brewing with Lundqvist and Montoya. Henrik already showed what he can do, and I'm confident that Montoya should reach his potential. Who do you consider the better prospect, Parise or Prucha?

As an outside I would take Parise, he brings much more to the table. Prucha, while having a nice goal scoring touch can often be invisible.

As an outside I would take Parise, he brings much more to the table. Prucha, while having a nice goal scoring touch can often be invisible.

The only time he was "invisible" was when he was recovering from his knee injury and played somewhat hesitantly.

Prucha plays with an edge and constantly is going after the puck. I'd like to know how many games you watched of his to say he was "invisible" often.

The other aspect that I like of Prucha's is his ability to get under an opponents skin.

He certainly did it to Forsberg pretty well (along with Hollweg).

The only time he was "invisible" was when he was recovering from his knee injury and played somewhat hesitantly.

Prucha plays with an edge and constantly is going after the puck. I'd like to know how many games you watched of his to say he was "invisible" often.

I probably watched at least 20 Rangers games last year, and other than the power play, there were many nights when he was invisible, which may in part be due to his ice time.

I probably watched at least 20 Rangers games last year, and other than the power play, there were many nights when he was invisible, which may in part be due to his ice time.

I would definately chalk it up to ice time, JFF. I know you aren't an overly biased poster by any accounts, so I was just asking why you thought he was.

And yeah, his ice time was extremely low. Kind of ridiculous to have your "best" scorer (again, in relation to goals per time on ice) on the 3rd line when your offense is clearly struggling.

The only time he was "invisible" was when he was recovering from his knee injury and played somewhat hesitantly.

Prucha plays with an edge and constantly is going after the puck. I'd like to know how many games you watched of his to say he was "invisible" often.

Prucha is very good. But think of guys liek Sykora and Hlavac. Just fell off the face of the earth. Im not trying to say Prucha will do this, but I dont know how consisently he can produce. Pure goal scorers liek him can tend to be invisible at times (not really the top notch guys, but any other sniper can be susceptible to this). You call him the "sure thing" but he is only great in one category: goal scoring. Parise is a better all around player IMO and will put up more points because he can set up and score. I would go with Zach.

Prucha is very good. But think of guys liek Sykora and Hlavac. Just fell off the face of the earth. Im not trying to say Prucha will do this, but I dont know how consisently he can produce. Pure goal scorers liek him can tend to be invisible at times (not really the top notch guys, but any other sniper can be susceptible to this). You call him the "sure thing" but he is only great in one category: goal scoring. Parise is a better all around player IMO and will put up more points because he can set up and score. I would go with Zach.

Sykora fell off the face of the Earth?

And Hlavac was always a fairly solid player with the Rangers. He fit in with his Czech fellows. I think his time in Philly really ruined him as his confidence was absoutely shot.

I also think that Prucha's passing skills are extremely underrated. He set up Jagr and others quite a few times with some beautiful passes. Problem is, that while he was setting up people at REGULAR strength he was playing with scrubs with little offense. Almost a complete waste of Prucha's skills.

Prucha had an excellent year and was one of the top rookies. Parise was not. Regarding careers? That will be determined in time.

Prucha had an excellent year and was one of the top rookies. Parise was not. Regarding careers? That will be determined in time.

Bingo. I think both will have fine careers when all is said and done. It's pretty much a pick 'em at this point and fans of either will take their respective player at this point. No need not to, either.

I don't expect Parise to become an all-star center or anything, I think he should be a 65-75 point guy. For the middle of the first round, that's a good pick.

this is about what I think of him too. Good player, but not a superstar player.

I think part of it is that there are some people who act like Parise is going to be this amazing player at the NHL level and be one of the best players, etc etc. He's good, but he's not that good. In other words, I think there was some overhyping that led people to react strongly the other way

Sykora fell off the face of the Earth?

I would say his play has consistently regressed since his glory days with New Jersey, he just doesn't seem to be the player today that he was then.

I think some of you are underrating Parise. After he got off the crap line with Marshall and Brylin and gained some confidence, he scored 11 points in 14 games (64 over a full season) and totally looked like a different player. If he adds some weight, I can see Zach being a consistent 80+ point player who is responsible defensively and brings it all every night.

I think some of you are underrating Parise. After he got off the crap line with Marshall and Brylin and gained some confidence, he scored 11 points in 14 games (64 over a full season) and totally looked like a different player. If he adds some weight, I can see Zach being a consistent 80+ point player who is responsible defensively and brings it all every night.
It depends. If Gomez is still with us I can't see Parise being an 80+ point getter. I think people are overestimating the number of 80+ point players there are in the NHL. Not to mention the fact that we, as a team, don't have real #1 lines. Sure we get the A-line, the EGG line, but those are only kept in place if there's a productive second line behind them. Otherwise they'd be broken up for balance. This leads to our players scoring highly as a team, not as individuals.

In 2001, when we led the league in scoring we had 3 80+ point scorers (Elias, Sykora, Mogilny) and 8 50+ scorers (Langs had 53). Last year we had two 80+ point scorers, but only 3 50+ scorers.

I see Parise around the 70 point mark on our team, which is still excellent production.

I think some of you are underrating Parise. After he got off the crap line with Marshall and Brylin and gained some confidence, he scored 11 points in 14 games (64 over a full season) and totally looked like a different player. If he adds some weight, I can see Zach being a consistent 80+ point player who is responsible defensively and brings it all every night.

Thank you. That was the worst second line in hockey. Parise would have had a great year if he played there the entire season. He went from a -14 to a -1 in the last couple months. That says alot. Just like Pruchas skills were wasted on the 3rd line, Parise's were wasted on the second line (which was like a 3rd line.) I would say he is going to break out this year, but I dont know if he wil have any help so ill wait until i see the final roster.

As an outside I would take Parise, he brings much more to the table. Prucha, while having a nice goal scoring touch can often be invisible.

hes pretty deadly on the PP though, I never like to face him especially with Jagr feeding him passes

I think some of you are underrating Parise. After he got off the crap line with Marshall and Brylin and gained some confidence, he scored 11 points in 14 games (64 over a full season) and totally looked like a different player. If he adds some weight, I can see Zach being a consistent 80+ point player who is responsible defensively and brings it all every night.

I know the guy who runs the Max AAA tourney, a tournement that lots and lots of NHL'ers have gone through and he said that Zach Parise was the best all around player to play in it yet. He won 2 or 3 MVP's while playing for Shattuck. He was also dominant in College, I just bring this up because I agree with you, he is underated, even his defensive play. He is a very complete player that I also think can put 80+ points up every year. Get him to center a solid line (not left wing) and he will be very impressive.

Parise needs to fill out a little to withstand the rigors of being an NHL center, which is his natural position. So, frankly, all of his true upside remains untouched and unknown at present while he is playing the wing.

But for what he did over his rookie year, he seemed overmatched, small and lacking confidence at the start -- versus the Crosbys and Ovechkins, who were superstars from minute one -- which probably added gasoline to the preexisting prejudices and knocks against him.

But what really impressed me was that he took his knocks like a champ, and showed steady improvement, and when given a chance to play on the top line -- worked his *** off, was gritty and unrelenting (especially in the corners) and had a tremendous work ethic and a great attitude. And had that sparkle that made it look like he could ultimately go as far as Gionta as a winger -- which is saying a lot.

Whether he ever gets his game to a place where he could supplant Gomez as a top playmaking center -- that we haven't seen yet (but that is story we've been told).

Either way, really love the kid and think his future is very, very bright. 60+ points next season, easy. 70-80 as he approaches his prime, no problem. Where he hits the ceiling... Who knows.

Thank you. That was the worst second line in hockey. Parise would have had a great year if he played there the entire season. He went from a -14 to a -1 in the last couple months. That says alot. Just like Pruchas skills were wasted on the 3rd line, Parise's were wasted on the second line (which was like a 3rd line.) I would say he is going to break out this year, but I dont know if he wil have any help so ill wait until i see the final roster.

He actually went from a -14 to a -1 in the last 14 games, which was less than a month, making it even more impressive.

And I think you're being generous by calling that a 3rd line. Marshall is a 4th liner, and Brylin is a 3rd liner who's lost a step, thus making it even more challenging.

And before he was even on that line, Robinson was grossly mishandling him as well.

Because A LOT OF PEOPLE are still upset that:

1. The US beat Canada in the WJC and Parise was named the MVP

2. That Edmonton allowed NJ to trade up to get him.



From point 2; half of Canadian Fans are constantly is Trying to prove that Marc-Antoine Pouliot is a better prospect and Parise is just a small 2nd line center....Just calling it the way I see it...Don't mean to upset anyone.

I'm sorry, but very few Canadian fans "are trying to prove that MAP is a better prospect [than Parise]"

I have no idea where you get your information from, but the general consensus on the Edmonton board at hfboards.com is that the Oilers missed out by drafting MAP over Parise, but MAP is not a bad player at all and may be the 4th line centre in Edmonton this year. I also have not read or seen anything on TV in Canada to suggest that anybody is claiming MAP is a better prospect than Parise. Feel free to post links if you want to prove me wrong....

Also, the pain of losing the WJC several years ago has long since been erased by our grinders outplaying all of the apparently more talented teams at the latest WJC, so no sense dwelling in the past or anything.

I'm sorry, but very few Canadian fans "are trying to prove that MAP is a better prospect [than Parise]"

I have no idea where you get your information from, but the general consensus on the Edmonton board at hfboards.com is that the Oilers missed out by drafting MAP over Parise, but MAP is not a bad player at all and may be the 4th line centre in Edmonton this year. I also have not read or seen anything on TV in Canada to suggest that anybody is claiming MAP is a better prospect than Parise. Feel free to post links if you want to prove me wrong....

Also, the pain of losing the WJC several years ago has long since been erased by our grinders outplaying all of the apparently more talented teams at the latest WJC, so no sense dwelling in the past or anything.
Sure nobody is saying MAP is better than Parise. It doesn't stop them from taking shots at Zach when they get the chance though.

Sure nobody is saying MAP is better than Parise. It doesn't stop them from taking shots at Zach when they get the chance though.


Oh, I don't know. On HF you can find somebody that will say just about anything about anybody.;)

No doubt that McGuire totally lost it when Edmonton traded down rather than take Parise but I think you will find most Edmonton fans are quite happy with who we got. In case it has been forgotten here there was another pick for trading down and Edmonton used that to pick JF Jacques. Both he and MAP are expected to be on the Oiler roster come October so I think that for now both teams should be pleased with the trade. We are at least 2 - probably 3 - seasons away from actually knowing anything.

Incidentally MAP looked very good at the end of last season with the Oilers and would have been part of the playoff run had he not come down with mono at the end of the season. JF Jacques' nickname is Crazy Train (I'm sure it sounds better in French) because of a habit of running people over with thunderous checks.

Just info. Not trying to start a debate or anything. As I said. For now I think both teams are happy with their decision.

Oh, I don't know. On HF you can find somebody that will say just about anything about anybody.;)

No doubt that McGuire totally lost it when Edmonton traded down rather than take Parise but I think you will find most Edmonton fans are quite happy with who we got. In case it has been forgotten here there was another pick for trading down and Edmonton used that to pick JF Jacques. Both he and MAP are expected to be on the Oiler roster come October so I think that for now both teams should be pleased with the trade. We are at least 2 - probably 3 - seasons away from actually knowing anything.

Incidentally MAP looked very good at the end of last season with the Oilers and would have been part of the playoff run had he not come down with mono at the end of the season. JF Jacques' nickname is Crazy Train (I'm sure it sounds better in French) because of a habit of running people over with thunderous checks.

Just info. Not trying to start a debate or anything. As I said. For now I think both teams are happy with their decision.
Oh yeah, no doubt about it. Both teams should be very happy. But I know if my team traded down I wouldn't want to see the guy they passed up on do fantastically well. Similar to if I was a Boston fan, I'd wish Thornton well but I wouldn't want him to go on and win the Art Ross and Hart or a cup.

Also, if I remember correctly McGuire was more pissed off at the Islanders than the Oilers. His reasoning was if you're willing to draft a smaller forward, why draft Nilsson over Parise? Nilsson looks like he's going to be a good one too, though. It was really hard to miss in that draft though, if you drafted anyone not named Jessiman (:sarcasm:) they should be in your lineup this October.

Wait till people think he is leaving the Devils as a free agent...he will be a God on these boards.

Wait till people think he is leaving the Devils as a free agent...he will be a God on these boards.
Same reason everyone on these boards thinks Colin White is overpaid.

From point 2; half of Canadian Fans are constantly is Trying to prove that Marc-Antoine Pouliot is a better prospect and Parise is just a small 2nd line center....Just calling it the way I see it...Don't mean to upset anyone.


Canadian Fans? Definately not... Oiler fans... quite possibly.

In any event, I'm a big fan of Parise, and think the Devils got a good one.

Canadian Fans? Definately not... Oiler fans... quite possibly.

In any event, I'm a big fan of Parise, and think the Devils got a good one.

When I say Canadian......I don't mean Canadien (The Habs)...I mean Team Canada Hockey Fans that didn't appreciate the US winning the Tourney.

To me it has been a bit shocking to see the reaction to the US players from Canadian Fans and to read things like....."I rather see Russia win than the US".

I have been a little more than surprised by the anti-American feeling coming from Canada over the last few years toward teenage kids just playing a game.

It just doesn't seem rational or warrented.

EDIT: And I think some of the nastiness we see with Phil Kessel has the same motivation behind it. Some, not all.

The US junior victory was an awesome achievement and there was probably some negative US sentiment resulting, but the egg the US laid in the subsequent tourney with a stronger roster probably squelched a decent amount of that going forward. There has always been a kid brother/big brother type of thing going on in terms of the 2 countries (not hockey wise of course) and occasionally when the kid brother gets his "A" in school he's going to go tell the parents about how great he did and point out other aspects about his life where he outshines his big brother. I would not take it personally Jimeiv, our country is the most hated in the world, that's what makes it great.

When I say Canadian......I don't mean Canadien (The Habs)...I mean Team Canada Hockey Fans that didn't appreciate the US winning the Tourney.

To me it has been a bit shocking to see the reaction to the US players from Canadian Fans and to read things like....."I rather see Russia win than the US".

I have been a little more than surprised by the anti-American feeling coming from Canada over the last few years toward teenage kids just playing a game.

It just doesn't seem rational or warrented.

EDIT: And I think some of the nastiness we see with Phil Kessel has the same motivation behind it. Some, not all.

I realized you were talking about Canadian hockey fans (as opposed to Canadien {Habs} fans) but I still don't think that Canadian fans are trying to prove MAP better than Parise.

That's not to say that some people aren't making that arguement, but I'm just more inclined to believe the majority of them would have to be Oiler fans and definately not make up "half of Canadian fans".

As for Phil Kessel... well I don't know, people seem to just dislike overhyped prospects... happened with Crosby. People just dislike him, and you can't change their minds.

But to each his own... and again, Parise is going to be a good one.

I realized you were talking about Canadian hockey fans (as opposed to Canadien {Habs} fans) but I still don't think that Canadian fans are trying to prove MAP better than Parise.



As a whole, No, You are right.....But its just one illustration in many instances of shot being taken.

I have to admit, I was a little dissapointed that Parise didn't show as much offensive flair as some of the other players in his rookie class. I was particularly angry about the fact that early in the season he would take wrist shots from just inside the blueline absolutely destroying any offensive opportunity. However, I think he improved dramatically by the end of the season. I don't think 50 points is unrealistic at all. I really hope that he moves back to center, the Devils won't be able to hold on to Gomez forever.

The disappointment with Parise obviously came from his hype. He was touted as "the Devils' best prospect since Scott Niedermayer." That would put him above Elias, Gomez, Gionta, White, Van Ryn, Smith, Souray, and the list goes on and on. I do still believe he is going to be our first line pivot in a few years time. On a line with Elias and Gionta, his ceiling is 75-85 points while providing excellent leadership qualities similar to Rod Brind'amour.

The disappointment with Parise obviously came from his hype. He was touted as "the Devils' best prospect since Scott Niedermayer." That would put him above Elias, Gomez, Gionta, White, Van Ryn, Smith, Souray, and the list goes on and on. I do still believe he is going to be our first line pivot in a few years time. On a line with Elias and Gionta, his ceiling is 75-85 points while providing excellent leadership qualities similar to Rod Brind'amour.

I think Some of that was just crazy expectations.....I had figured if he played a full season he would be in the 30 to 40 range while a lot fans were predicting some insane numbers.

I personally am not disappointed at all in his performance. As a matter of fact I would say he performed pretty exactly as I expected.

People kept saying "playmaking" center but I really feel you are looking at a well rounded forward. I think you'll see a three year progression with Parise. His third or fourth year will tell you exactly what he is and what he is going to be....Right now all we are looking for progress. I don't think Parise has hit the 50% mark in his learning curve which is a very good thing for us and him.

Look at the progression of Patrik Elias...If anyone remembers when he came into the league people were lableing him as more of "playmaker". Smart players learn to adapt, they keep what works and drop what doesn't....Parise is an extremely smart player and lets enjoy this progression that we are going to see.

Elias-----------------------------Parise
1997-98 NJ 74 18 19 37----------2005-06 NJ 81 14 18 32
1998-99 NJ 74 17 33 50
1999-00 NJ 72 35 37 72
2000-01 NJ 82 40 56 96

I like Parise and think he is a good player. But when people say 80+ and even up to 90 points. I have to turn the other way. If he does put up those numbers, with his work ethic, intellegence and well rounded game. He would be a top 5 player in the league. Or close to it. I do not see him as that good. By the same token people that just look at his numbers. Are selling him short. I think the dislike comes when people try to counter and go back over top of someone who says third liner.

Parise just never stops his feet. Ever. You can't hate players like that, and everytime the Devs came to Buffalo, or played the Sabres at CAA, Parise was the guy I'd look for on NJ.

He's got the skating, and I love his grit for a guy of his stature - he reminds me of a bit more talented version of Jason Pominville, although Parise is a far better skater than Poms.

I feel sorry for Parise in a way....imagine what he could do on a more offensive style of team like Edmonton.. or in a situation where he was the star like crosby in Pits or Ovechkin in Wash...he's been stifled a bit in NJ.

I feel sorry for Parise in a way....imagine what he could do on a more offensive style of team like Edmonton.. or in a situation where he was the star like crosby in Pits or Ovechkin in Wash...he's been stifled a bit in NJ.
Stifled!?!?! He's played one season! Now Robinson didn't give him the minutes he should have, but he had a bit of trouble adapting to the NHL in the first half of the season. He was on the second line for a while with Brylin and Marshall, but did you expect him to push Elias, Gomez, or Gionta to the second line? And we didn't have that much second line talent out there for him to play with.

I think he's going to have a breakout year this year, he improved his toughness greatly by the end of the season and became defensively responsible. Plus with the uncertainty with Gomez/Brylin he can easily be moved into a first/second line center position between Elias and Langenbrunner, possibly. I think 'stifled' is a very poor way to describe his short experience with NJ so far.

I feel sorry for Parise in a way....imagine what he could do on a more offensive style of team like Edmonton.. or in a situation where he was the star like crosby in Pits or Ovechkin in Wash...he's been stifled a bit in NJ.

NJ has not "stifled" Gomez, Gionta, or Elias. Parise couldn't put up great numbers because he was a rookie and wasn't ready to produce as well as we thought.

I don't think Gomer was "stiffed" with a 70+ point performance in his rookie year. People just expected another Gomer from this kid. He's not the playmaker Gomer is but he'll be good.

I feel sorry for Parise in a way....imagine what he could do on a more offensive style of team like Edmonton.. or in a situation where he was the star like crosby in Pits or Ovechkin in Wash...he's been stifled a bit in NJ.

How much more can you offer a rookie than playing on the first line with 2 of the teams best players?

Parise's game will progress much differently than some of the supremely talented players you have named. Zach is a smart player and he will have to learn what is his limitations are at this level and capitalize on the things that work for him as opposed to some other rookies who can succeed on skill alone.

It was very interesting watching Parise's progression this season. Because it was really one of trial and error. The promising thing was he was able to learn and make corrections, that many players seem not able to do as easily as Parise did. Parise at the begining of the season was not the same player as Parise at the end of the season.

As I said in a previous post I think you are looking at a 3 or 4 year progression with Parise and we probably wont know his full potential until that 3rd or 4th year. This upcoming season is just one more step in his progression and I think we will see a better overall player but not near his full potential.

How much more can you offer a rookie than playing on the first line with 2 of the teams best players?

Parise's game will progress much differently than some of the supremely talented players you have named. Zach is a smart player and he will have to learn what is his limitations are at this level and capitalize on the things that work for him as opposed to some other rookies who can succeed on skill alone.

It was very interesting watching Parise's progression this season. Because it was really one of trial and error. The promising thing was he was able to learn and make corrections, that many players seem not able to do as easily as Parise did. Parise at the begining of the season was not the same player as Parise at the end of the season.

As I said in a previous post I think you are looking at a 3 or 4 year progression with Parise and we probably wont know his full potential until that 3rd or 4th year. This upcoming season is just one more step in his progression and I think we will see a better overall player but not near his full potential.

I agree Jim. Parise was a much smarter player by the end of the year and I think he will continue to improve. And in my opinion he has a great person to watch to learn from and that's Gionta. Another smaller quick player with smarts and I personally think Zach was starting to copy Gio's body positioning on the boards a little. In three years I expect this kid to be one of our top 2 way players - getting both PP and PK time and playing on the top lines.

Although they're not identical players, Gionta and Parise share some similarities (smaller, college stars) that make a camparison worthwhile. Gionta played four years of college, then posted these NHL numbers:

33 4-7-11
58 12-13-25
75 21-8-29
lockout year
82 48-41-89

Parise just finished what would have been his senior year of college, since he only played two years at UND. So his [81 14-18-32] line isn't even on the chart to compare with Gionta. Be patient and see where Parise's game is in three to five years.

Sorry for the double. Just had to dig this one up. I posted this here in 2004 about what to expect from Parise. How does it sound now that you've seen him at the pro level?
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"I watched Parise quite a bit over the last two years, and I think generally people over-estimate his point projections and undervalue his overall play.

He has nice hands, good but not great speed, and excellent hockey sense and vision. On the downside, his size is an issue in that he can be affected by bigger, stronger players. I'm not interested in a debate about listed "size," or comparisons to other smaller players; I simply feel that in watching him his size has sometimes been an issue.

Parise's work ethic and overall play are almost universally admired, and I still think they are undervalued. I think it is the combination of his hockey sense, vision and ethic that make him so effective. You will see shifts and shake your head at the end of it because of the way he worked. He'll keep the puck in the zone (or move it out) by getting to a puck because he knows it will be there and keep his feet moving, not because he is the fastest guy. In fact, I think he has only average-at-best physical gifts. He's very much a head-and-heart player.

If a Modano comparison is meant to include style of play, it's way off. They couldn't look more different carrying the puck up the ice.

Just my opinion. I really like him as a player and look forward to watching him for many years to come."

Fairly accurate, although I think you underrate his skills.

He's very much a head-and-heart player.


Just like his old man. ;)