112 replies to this topic

[DevsMan84]

Guillame Latendresse and Josh Harding for Parise.

That would make me sad.

[Pepperkorn]

ZP is a goner.

Explain your acting motivation here. As Zach -- to portray him in a convincing manner why would you leave the Devils?

Seriously -- use your acting skills or learn them as the case may be in these situations. Don't take stories from sources to make a snap judgement - that's a sh!tty way to form a character... look at your given circumstance (Zach's history - take into account his Dad's experiences as well, his engagement EVERYTHING no matter how minute) empathize out Zach's past motivations, form a clear future objective (do NOT play your obstacle - thus do not even consider your obstacle - honestly that's not realistic human behavior - if it seems like it is then you're objective is wrong).

We may not agree on who the guy is and that's fine -- so I want to understand who you think he is and why (if you conclude he's a goner) you'd want him to stay.

[TheMazz]

That would make me sad.

This.

I wouldn't want to see Parise traded and I believe he will be locked up long term. When he was interviewed on Versus the other day I got the vibe that he really does sincerely like playing here, wants to stay and will be a matter of time before he is locked up. However if we were to trade him the only trade I would do is Jack Johnson and Johnathon Bernier. (We could always put Frazee in this said deal.) Solving two of our needs in the process another solid defensemen and our next franchise goaltender..and I do see that potential in Bernier more so then Frazee.

[mvparise]

I like the "cheer when Zach touches the puck" idea, I think that's brilliant

Why thank you, but we dont have an.avid enough fan base to make that work unfortunately. Obviously since people wanna trade the heart and soul of our team for peanuts

[mvparise]

Sorry but you lost me at saying parise has meant more to this team than Elias. You obviously have not watched the team and how much he meant to the team between 99 and 04.

Ive watched through that time, it may be a stretch but its not far from the truth. Parise is the face of this team and more skilled then elias ever was. If we didnt sign kovi to that terrible contract there wouldnt be a soul on here saying trade parise. Just hearing that from "devils fans" is unbelievable. Hes better than kovi, if u wanna trade some, trade kovi and get this team back to the makeup they were when they were successful

[mvparise]

i got lost with this gem right from the start: "ppl saying trade him for so-and-so shouldnt be allowed in the arena"

It wasnt a gem buddy, its the truth. If you want parise gone, do me and everyone else here a favor, trade ur red jersey in for a blue one and take the train right past secaucus, cause you sound just like one of them. TRADE OUR BEST PLAYER!!! What team do you follow? You think lou would trade parise? You have to be a headcase to think that. And then u support ppl saying trade him? Idk what you think your the head coach of but when it comes to this team you aint lookin to bright.

[Random Poster]

It wasnt a gem buddy, its the truth. If you want parise gone, do me and everyone else here a favor, trade ur red jersey in for a blue one and take the train right past secaucus, cause you sound just like one of them. TRADE OUR BEST PLAYER!!! What team do you follow? You think lou would trade parise? You have to be a headcase to think that. And then u support ppl saying trade him? Idk what you think your the head coach of but when it comes to this team you aint lookin to bright.

You need to settle down, scooter.

[njdevsftw]

This.

I wouldn't want to see Parise traded and I believe he will be locked up long term. When he was interviewed on Versus the other day I got the vibe that he really does sincerely like playing here, wants to stay and will be a matter of time before he is locked up. However if we were to trade him the only trade I would do is Jack Johnson and Johnathon Bernier. (We could always put Frazee in this said deal.) Solving two of our needs in the process another solid defensemen and our next franchise goaltender..and I do see that potential in Bernier more so then Frazee.

This sums it up nicely.

[DevsMan84]

Ive watched through that time, it may be a stretch but its not far from the truth. Parise is the face of this team and more skilled then elias ever was. If we didnt sign kovi to that terrible contract there wouldnt be a soul on here saying trade parise. Just hearing that from "devils fans" is unbelievable. Hes better than kovi, if u wanna trade some, trade kovi and get this team back to the makeup they were when they were successful

You can debate that on here until the end of time. I tend to think differently and Elias has 2 cup rings to prove that. Elias also scored some huge goals for us when we needed them as well (Game 7 of the ECF in 2000 rings a bell?)

I really do not think Kovy's contract or abilities has anything to do with people feeling that Parise is expendable. It is just that with the uncertainty surrounding Parise's future in NJ it is reasonable to at least speculate and brace for the worst. I also have not seen anyone here saying that they want Lou to trade him so I really do not see what you are saying there. All I see is people just speculating what he would be worth in case the worst possible outcome comes true. I do not think Lou wants him to leave, but I at least hope he will make the best situation possible in case Parise is def gone.

[CarpathianForest]

That would make me sad.

Sorry, but that's a good deal. A solid RW and a young goaltender who is currently giving Backstrom a run for his money even after major surgery.

[DevsMan84]

Sorry, but that's a good deal. A solid RW and a young goaltender who is currently giving Backstrom a run for his money even after major surgery.

Eh, goaltending is not as important of a position like it was in the 90's and early 2000's and Latandresse is at best a 2nd line winger.

[Devil Dan 56]

It wasnt a gem buddy, its the truth. If you want parise gone, do me and everyone else here a favor, trade ur red jersey in for a blue one and take the train right past secaucus, cause you sound just like one of them. TRADE OUR BEST PLAYER!!! What team do you follow? You think lou would trade parise? You have to be a headcase to think that. And then u support ppl saying trade him? Idk what you think your the head coach of but when it comes to this team you aint lookin to bright.

If Lou knows for a fact that Parise will not sign (or cannot be signed due to team finances) it would be irresponsible NOT to trade him.

As unknown poster said, settle down. It's a business. No one WANTS Zach to go, but it may be the only option with the current finances.

[Beck27]

Ive watched through that time, it may be a stretch but its not far from the truth. Parise is the face of this team and more skilled then elias ever was. If we didnt sign kovi to that terrible contract there wouldnt be a soul on here saying trade parise. Just hearing that from "devils fans" is unbelievable. Hes better than kovi, if u wanna trade some, trade kovi and get this team back to the makeup they were when they were successful

Saying Parise is more skilled than Elias ever was is a tad ridiculous, especially considering Zach has an average shot at best and can't score from more than 3 feet from in front of the net.

Anyways, if you're equating skill with importance, well you've buried your own argument, because Kovy is far and away the most skilled offensive player to ever wear the team's jersey. Even the biggest Kovy detractors can't debate his raw skill.

[jim777]

We'll have between Jan 1st and 3PM Feb 27th to show Zach the love via a contract. i can't imagine Lou wants to lose Zach before heading off into the sunset himself and have that forever be his legacy. Could it happen? Sure, but I really don't think it will. I honestly don't.

[Chuck the Duck]

At this point, you can't compare what Elias has meant to the Devils with Parise. Elias won 2 cups with this organization, holds (or is about to break) most of the offensive records, and has been a major contributor to this team for over a decade. Parise just hasn't been here long enough, or had an opportunity to match what Elias has done yet.

HOWEVER, if you're asking who is more important to this franchise going forward, then it clearly is Parise. He is the face of the team, its Captain and, really, its heart and soul. He is one of the hardest working players I have ever watched, and is clearly a crowd favorite. That is why the real deadline to sign Parise is the trade deadline this season. Lou cannot watch his biggest asset walk for nothing during free agency when some team like the Kings, Rangers, or Detroit (yes they have a ton of cap space next year) throws a ridiculous contract at him. He is a pro athlete, he will take the money if it far exceeds our offer. If he doesn't sign before the trade deadline, then trade him for the best package of NHL ready prospects and picks. The fans will be pissed as noone wants to see Parise leave, but Lou will have little choice if Zach refuses to sign and wants to test the market.

[Random Poster]

Saying Parise is more skilled than Elias ever was is a tad ridiculous, especially considering Zach has an average shot at best and can't score from more than 3 feet from in front of the net.

That's something that alot of people tend to overlook. How many of Parise's goals are actually scored from outside the slot/crease area?

Parise is a skilled finisher when he's got the puck in that slot/crease area, but that kind of living also relies on having linemates that can support that style as well. The puck doesn't get in that area on it's own. To get it there himself or make it happen, Parise works extremely hard and uses his intelligence on the ice, but he could also use some help with linemates that mesh with his ability. Also, does Parise make the players around him better or do the players around him make him bettter?


I'm a supporter of Parise. I've liked him since his 1st pro season in Albany. He's a type of player that you need on your team to win a Cup. He's a top line forward on any team in the league. No question he needs to be kept. However, as much as i feel he will not be back, i do not think it will the end of the world for the Devils. It will hurt, no question but remember, this is an organization that's won only 2 playoff rounds and missed the playoffs once in his career here and are probably a 7-8 seed at best this year. It's like the old saying goes (paraphrasing) "we're not winning anything with you, and we won't win anything without you, either".

[mrthemike]

I think it's more like a need to wallow in the anxiety with as many as can stand it.

I hear you Quinn!

I can't get a read. I think he's not petty or compartmentalized though.

I DO get a distinct feeling he's doing all he can to help Kovalchuk. I think that he's doing his best to not leave the devils or more precisely, any of his teammates in the lurch. He's not pulling any Holik "I can look in de mirror and sleep like a leetle bebby at night... can anyone else on dis team?" while preparing to move on all season long.

I think Chico's take is coming from his relationship with JP -- and I think that makes it far to easy to over-simplify. JP is emotionally removed and has a different ambition for his son. He can't know what will truly make Zach happy.... it's his job as a dad to push Zach out of his comfort zone just in case ZACH doesn't really know what he wants. (and Zach is no fool -- he knows anything he says to Chico will go right back to his dad one way or the other -- so the communication is tainted - not in a negative way but in a keep every one happy - keep everyone's emotions as level as possible until it's time to really make a decision. Chico is a loud mouth who thinks he's helping -- which he IS but you have to keep it in the proper perspective too...)

In the end there will be consensus - and since every one seems to be coming from the right place I'm fine with however it plays out. I really like Zach and wish he'd stay but I'd understand if he left.

I feel ZERO ill will on any side. Every side has to question loyalties and such --but I approve of what every side is doing

Random related story that I just remembered from last year.

I went to a Devils/Wings game in Detroit. On the way to the game I ran into a Wings fan that said he knew JP Parise and would occasionally go fishing with him. He asked me what I thought would happen with Zach and of course I mentioned that I was confident he would stay with the Devs. He told me at that time that he had talked with JP about Zach and that Zach was unhappy in NJ; especially with management. He knew way too much about the Parise family to be making sh!t up, especially since he was an older Wings fan.

Anyways, the reason I wanted to share this was just because it sort of goes hand-in-hand with what Chico apparently said about how Zach felt about the org.

Take it for what it's worth.

Edited by mrthemike, 15 November 2011 - 02:52 PM.

[Jerrydevil]

That's something that alot of people tend to overlook. How many of Parise's goals are actually scored from outside the slot/crease area?

Parise is a skilled finisher when he's got the puck in that slot/crease area, but that kind of living also relies on having linemates that can support that style as well. The puck doesn't get in that area on it's own. To get it there himself or make it happen, Parise works extremely hard and uses his intelligence on the ice, but he could also use some help with linemates that mesh with his ability. Also, does Parise make the players around him better or do the players around him make him bettter?


I'm a supporter of Parise. I've liked him since his 1st pro season in Albany. He's a type of player that you need on your team to win a Cup. He's a top line forward on any team in the league. No question he needs to be kept. However, as much as i feel he will not be back, i do not think it will the end of the world for the Devils. It will hurt, no question but remember, this is an organization that's won only 2 playoff rounds and missed the playoffs once in his career here and are probably a 7-8 seed at best this year. It's like the old saying goes (paraphrasing) "we're not winning anything with you, and we won't win anything without you, either".

Is he the type of player you need to win a championship or is it "we lost with you, we can lose without you"? You're confused!

It's never the end of the world when you lose one player. But it's a very tough pill to swallow when the Devils fell over themselves trying to sign Kovalchuk, a player who hasn't fit in here; meanwhile, Zach Parise, a player who fits very well here and plays a style of hockey most of us love, probably won't be back. Disheartening.

[SterioDesign]

at this point i really don't know...

• obviously yes, he's saying he wants to stay here and all... but its not as if he'd go public and say that he wants out but "i think" he means it but still who knows

• he has to be frustrated right now cause he's not producing like he would certainly like and he's not really clicking with a lot of players except henrique and zubrus it seems + his linemate and best bud in the team is out... and langenbrunner who played with him for his whole time as a devils is gone too (not saying its a good reason obviously but it must be in the back of his mind)

• with the financial status he may want to jump the ship asap too

one thing is sure... IF Zach resign... he's gonna be my boy for a LONG TIME

[Onddeck]

damnnn.. i never like to hear stories like that. i hope he signs and if he does, im with sterodesign.. he's my boy for a while