Zach Parise

Hi Devils fans.

I remember Parise being drafted. I wanted the Habs to draft him after seing him at the world junior championship. I remember watching the tounament being curious about Higgins, a Montreal prospect. Although, it was actually Parise who impressed me the most and I believe he will become a hell of a 2 way forward.

Do you guys think he will make the team next season?

It has been a strong debate on the Oilers board on Zach Parise and the choice to trade the pick to NJ instead of drafting him. The Oilers had Parise and Pouliot quite equal and chose taking the extra second rounder.

I watched Zach Parise at the World Juniors as well, and what I noticed more than anything is the way he thinks the game. He is such a smart player, right place, right time, right position. I think you will notice that he will be top notch in his own zone with very good offensive ability(whether this is developed in NJ is up to the team).

From what I understand, Zach thought he was NHL ready at playoff time and it was the team that felt that throwing him to the playoff wolves wasn't the best way to break him into the league.

I expect him playing for the Devils the next time there is NHL hockey.

It has been a strong debate on the Oilers board on Zach Parise and the choice to trade the pick to NJ instead of drafting him. The Oilers had Parise and Pouliot quite equal and chose taking the extra second rounder.

I watched Zach Parise at the World Juniors as well, and what I noticed more than anything is the way he thinks the game. He is such a smart player, right place, right time, right position. I think you will notice that he will be top notch in his own zone with very good offensive ability(whether this is developed in NJ is up to the team).

From what I understand, Zach thought he was NHL ready at playoff time and it was the team that felt that throwing him to the playoff wolves wasn't the best way to break him into the league.

I expect him playing for the Devils the next time there is NHL hockey.I agree with everything you just said. Parise is going to be a great player in the NHL not because he will be scoring 80+ points per year (though someday, he may), but mostly because he is a two-way player. The Devils have some tremendous talent at the center position right now (Gomez, Madden -- if he re-signs, Hrdina, and Kozlov -- I know he didn't do much, but he has skill). For Parise to make the team out of camp, he is going to have to compete hard.

Personally, I'd like to free up a roster spot for him at center (buh-bye Kozlov), but I'm not sure what Koz's status is with the team. Will he be back? Is he a UFA? RFA? Under contract another year? Can we trade him? What could we get for him? etc. Assuming there is a season next year, Parise could be a great second-line centerman. Friesen might actually remember that he was a 30-goal scorer once upon a time with Parise setting him up.

I watched Zach Parise at the World Juniors as well, and what I noticed more than anything is the way he thinks the game. He is such a smart player, right place, right time, right position. I think you will notice that he will be top notch in his own zone with very good offensive ability(whether this is developed in NJ is up to the team).
I completly agree with you on this and while Higgins seemed a bit overwhelmed by team Canada's talent and speed, Parise kept getting the best scoring chances for USA and made his wingers look better. :yo:

Personally, I'd like to free up a roster spot for him at center (buh-bye Kozlov), but I'm not sure what Koz's status is with the team. Will he be back? Is he a UFA? RFA? Under contract another year? Can we trade him? What could we get for him? etc. Assuming there is a season next year, Parise could be a great second-line centerman. Friesen might actually remember that he was a 30-goal scorer once upon a time with Parise setting him up.
Kozlov is a Group II Free-Agent, which means the Devils can match any offer made by another club.

I think Zach Parise has a spot on the team provided he has a decent camp. If he can get a sniper for a winger, he can have a good rookie season. Langenbrunner might be a good candidate to move back to the second line. A Friesen-Parise-Langenbrunner line might have some potential behind the EGG line.

Will Parise be allowed to play on the Rats next year in the event of a lockout? I would love to see him, Suglobov and Pihlman start the year together on the Rats and then come up around January (earliest predicted start of the NHL).

On a sidenote, the Rats could really be fun to watch next year if they have Parise, Suglobov, Foster, Pihlman and Vrana all up front with Ahonen still in net. That would be the deepest pool of prospects we've had there in a long time.

Will Parise be allowed to play on the Rats next year in the event of a lockout? I would love to see him, Suglobov and Pihlman start the year together on the Rats and then come up around January (earliest predicted start of the NHL).

Pihlman-Parise-Suglobov

I feel much better now.

I really, really hope we can get the Friesen-Parise-Langs line going next year. Reminds me (to a point) of the Gomez's first year.

I really, really hope we can get the Friesen-Parise-Langs line going next year. Reminds me (to a point) of the Gomez's first year.Gomez played with Claude Lemieux and Alex Mogilny at different times during his first year. Nothing against Friesen and Langs, but they aren't quite at the level of Lemieux and Mogilny.

Yeah I agree, I ment he wasn't stuck on the 4th line with pounders like most rookie centers.

Yeah I agree, I ment he wasn't stuck on the 4th line with pounders like most rookie centers.I think Parise will be the second line center. Our third line center (if he re-signs) is Madden, and Rasmussen did a fine job at 4th line center (along with Hrdina). If Parise makes the team, second line center will most likely be his position.

I think Rasmussen is more comfortable at wing. Hrdina is definately better than most 4th line centers.

If we do resign Kozlov, he'll probably play wing. I don't see us resigning both Friesen and Kozlov though, and I'd rather have Friesen.

I do think we will see Zach parise play for the Devils next season... I also think he will have a great year like Gomez did his rookie year to win the Calder trophy... Parise is going to be a star in the NHL and he could possibly win the Calder trophy as well... Parise could even have a better year than Gomez did in his first season... We shall see... :dunno:

Speaking of Vrana, how long until he makes it to NJ?

If there were a roster spot for him, I'd wager he would be given a chance at 4th line duty next season.