Parise on New Jersey: "I love playing here"
The New Jersey Devils lost to the Los Angeles Kings in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals, just one year after finishing the regular season 12 points out of a playoff spot. One of the key factors in the Devils' quick turnaround was left winger Zach Parise.
Injuries held him to only 13 games played in the 2010-11 season, but Parise bounced back with 69 points (31 goals, 38 assists) this past season.
The only problem with Parise is that he will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Following the team photo on Wednesday, Parise shed some light on his future in the NHL.
"I've always liked playing here. That's never changed. We'll see where this takes us right now, but this is a great place to play and I love playing here. I love being here," Parise told the Bergen Record.
Parise, who earned $6 million this past season, even went as far as suggesting that he could re-sign with the Devils before free agency opens on July 1. One notion that Parise was certainly not considering was signing with the New York Rangers. "No way," Parise said when asked about playing in the Big Apple.
The Devils have until July 1 to sign their captain, who has scored at least 30 goals in five of the last six seasons, or they will have to get in line with all the other potential suitors.
