52 replies to this topic

[PutTheForkDown]

Personal opinions and affinities aside, how do you stack these two up against each other?

Ive been a huge fan of Zach since we drafted him, and I knew he would become a very good/possibly great player in this league.

Whenever I try to describe his game to a newer fan, or someone who is not really ‘into’ hockey like I am, (girlfriend, usually, who doesnt care haha), I end up using the Kariya comparison.

I always include the fact that there are very distinct differences in their skill sets and overall game, (grittiness vs. raw skill mostly), but I was wondering if you guys had opinions on who would be a better fit to compare him to.

Just want some thoughts on who you would compare Parise with, not a whole bunch of idiotic rambling about how wrong it is to compare Kariya and Parise. (Just saw that coming ahead of time, and wanted to let it be known I don’t care if you disagree with my comparison, just tell me yours.)

[Jas0nMacIsaac]

I like Yzerman early in his career for Parise.

[SatansDevils]

Pavel Bure in his young career minus the knee injuries.

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

In some ways, John MacLean (of the 45, 41, and 42 goal variety). Gritty, determined, never giving up on a shift, finding ways to score that aren't always pretty or flashy, but effective.

[Jas0nMacIsaac]

Pavel Bure in his young career minus the knee injuries.

Really? Have you ever seen Bure play? They are totally opposite in terms of offensive players.

[Devils Pride 26]

Kariya had a better shot, and one of the best handers in the league. I don't know where you get Bure from? How?

Zach is an extremely smart and hardworking player playing in a system that fits him perfectly. In my time, I haven't seen a player quite like him. If Zach had a shot, he would be the best player in the game.

[SatansDevils]

Really? Have you ever seen Bure play? They are totally opposite in terms of offensive players.

Seen him play his entire career. He was a playmaker and he scored plenty of goals in his career that ended short with two bad knee surgeries. Not total opposite players at all. Both have plenty of offense in them.

[Devils Pride 26]

Seen him play his entire career. He was a playmaker and he scored plenty of goals in his career that ended short with two bad knee surgeries. Not total opposite players at all. Both have plenty of offense in them.

Zach is not a playmaker. Zach isn't going to beat a goalie with a wrist shot the way Bure could. He's going to get those gritty rebounds in front of the net. This is crazy talk.

[SatansDevils]

Zach is not a playmaker. Zach isn't going to beat a goalie with a wrist shot the way Bure could. He's going to get those gritty rebounds in front of the net. This is crazy talk.

Crazy to you maybe. Zach not a playmaker? He can do both and has done both this season for the Devils. Last I saw he is 2nd on the Devils in assists (Elias) and 1st on the Devils in points.
That is crazy talk.

[Martyisth3b3st]

Pavel Bure in his young career minus the knee injuries.

That's probably the most ridiculous comparison I have ever heard in my life. If your honest reason is "both have plenty of offense in them", it's making me . A more-consistant MacLean is who he reminds me of: talented, and gritty with some solid numbers.

[Devils Pride 26]

Crazy to you maybe. Zach not a playmaker? He can do both and has done both this season for the Devils. Last I saw he is 2nd on the Devils in assists (Elias) and 1st on the Devils in points.
That is crazy talk.

Sure he can make plays, but comparing his playmaking ability to Pavel Bure isn't an arguement I would make. There is a big difference from being a pass first playmaker (ala Gomez, Scott) than shoot first kinda guy like Zach. Zach has more of a nose for the net.

[SatansDevils]

That's probably the most ridiculous comparison I have ever heard in my life. If your honest reason is "both have plenty of offense in them", it's making me . A more-consistant MacLean is who he reminds me of: talented, and gritty with some solid numbers.

Oh yeah coming from you MB that sure means a lot on your opinion.
Need to refresh yourself in some hockey history. Now that makes me

This Devils team loses two bad games and opinions/comparisions here are bashed. What else is new. Good to be a follower there MB and sure not a leader when it comes to opinions and comparisions. Great job.

Sure he can make plays, but comparing his playmaking ability to Pavel Bure isn't an arguement I would make. There is a big difference from being a pass first playmaker (ala Gomez, Scott) than shoot first kinda guy like Zach. Zach has more of a nose for the net.

Yeah you are right there about Zach being more of a nose for the net just like Bure was, but the both of them still know/knew how to pass the puck too.

Edited by SatansDevils, 24 March 2009 - 04:59 PM.

[Martyisth3b3st]

Oh yeah coming from you MB that sure means a lot on your opinion.
Need to refresh yourself in some hockey history. Now that makes me

This Devils team loses two bad games and opinions/comparisions here are bashed. What else is now. Good to be a follower there MB and sure not a leader when it comes to opinions and comparisions. Great job.




Yeah you are right there about Zach being more of a nose for the net just like Bure was, but the both of them still know/knew how to pass the puck too.

That was hilarious. Bravo, good sir, bravo.

[nmigliore]

Oh yeah coming from you MB that sure means a lot on your opinion.
Need to refresh yourself in some hockey history. Now that makes me

?? .. his comparison to J-Mac is not bad at all.. It makes more sense than saying Bure is like Parise.

This Devils team loses two bad games and opinions/comparisions here are bashed. What else is now. Good to be a follower there MB and sure not a leader when it comes to opinions and comparisions. Great job.

this has nothing to do with this topic.. and fyi, people post out of anger like that (come on SD you should know that by now you've seen me go nuts in the Mets thread) even though they dont really mean what the say.


- I really can only recollect on late 90's history since im only 18 and started following hockey/devils in 1997 or so.. I really dont know who he reminds me of, based off the samplings i've seen of J-Mac i say thats the best I can come up with.

Edited by nmigliore, 24 March 2009 - 05:03 PM.

[Devils Pride 26]

Yeah you are right there about Zach being more of a nose for the net just like Bure was, but the both of them still know/knew how to pass the puck too.

Bure was a better skater, had better puck skills, and had a laser for a wrist shot. Parise is an excellent, gritty forechecker who doesn't quit, and is amazing near the net. The only thing I see is that they were both very smart and great players at what they did.

[Triumph]

kariya was flashier and better in open ice. he also had a much harder shot.

parise's skills are in close, in front of the net, etc. there's not another player like him in my view - players like him really couldn't function the way he does under the old rules.

[SatansDevils]

Bure was a better skater, had better puck skills, and had a laser for a wrist shot. Parise is an excellent, gritty forechecker who doesn't quit, and is amazing near the net. The only thing I see is that they were both very smart and great players at what they did.

I agree with you DP26.

I also agree MacLean is a good comparison too, but just wanted to use a different non-Devils player he reminds me of just like the comparision of Kariya.

Edited by SatansDevils, 24 March 2009 - 05:14 PM.

[Martyisth3b3st]

I agree with you DP26.

You just agreed with him contradicting your point...

[SatansDevils]

You just agreed with him contradicting your point...

no. go back and read it again. the last part I agree with him on. should have put it in bold for you MB. read sometimes before you want to insult all the time.

[Devil Dan 56]

Parise is a garbage-goal guy. He gets most of his goals in tight on rebounds, fighting for the puck, etc. Parise has great hands in close, nice speed, a never-quit attitude, but he will never have the speed, moves, or wrist shot that Bure had in his prime.

That being said, a healthy Zach Parise should have more career goals than Bure.