The conspiracy theorists are correct this time. Former Devils captain Zach Parise and ex-Predator Ryan Suter months ago discussed what became their simultaneous jumps to Minnesota today.
“Ryan and I talked throughout the year, at times saying, ‘Wouldn’t it be great playing with each other, and playing on the same team?’” Parise admitted today each signed with the Wild for $98 million over 13 years.
LW Parise said the Devils came in second in his signing derby.
“At the end, it came between New Jersey and Minnesota, it really did. I have great friends in New Jersey. I’m a loyal person,” Parise said. “Going back [Nov. 11 in Newark] is going to be pretty unique. It will be tough with all the memories and all the people.
“I feel like I gave everything I had. I don’t think anyone can argue with that.”
Parise said he understands that Devils fans are upset with his departure.
“I get it. I can see it from their standpoint,” Parise said. “I did everything I could to help that team win.”
Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said the Devils did their best to keep him. He couldn’t change where the Minnesota native was born.
“Our offer was competitive and we did not have, at any time, a phone call [indicating] we needed to change it, or it had to go up,” Lamoriello said. “In my mind, our organization did everything possible to retain him.”
Although Lamoriello re-signed nearly everyone else from the Stanley Cup finalists, Parise joins the Devils’ exodus tradition of Scott Stevens (matched and kept), Bobby Holik, Doug Gilmour, Joe Nieuwendyk, Dave Andreychuk, Scott Niedermayer, Bruce Driver, Scott Gomez, Brian Rafalski and Brian Gionta.
“We’re disappointed,” Lamoriello said.
Parise is the second Devils captain to depart in less than two years. Jamie Langenbrunner was traded to Dallas in January, 2011.
“We have a lot of generals, a lot of leaders,” Lamoriello said. “I don’t think there is a leadership issue at all.”
Parise finished third in team scoring last season at 31-38-69. He went 8-7-15 in 24 playoff games. His most productive season was 2008-09 when he went 45-49-94. He stands 194-216-410 in 502 NHL games and 21-22-43 in 61 playoff games, all with New Jersey. He made his NHL debut Oct. 5, 2005, scoring his first goal and assist that night. This spring’s run to the finals was the closest he came to winning a Stanley Cup.
After missing nearly the entire 2010-11 season with knee surgery, Parise settled a team-requested arbitration case last July by accepting a one-year, $6 million contract. At the time, Lamoriello said the deal would provide “a springboard” for negotiations towards a long-term contract.
It never happened. As has been his usual practice, Lamoriello did not engage Parise in contract talks last season, and the Devils run to the finals delayed the start of talks this summer.
Despite the team’s financial troubles, Lamoriello managed to re-sign unrestricted G Martin Brodeur, G Johan Hedberg, D Bryce Salvador and Forwards Ryan Carter, Stephen Gionta and Steve Bernier.
Once Parise hit unrestricted free agency, Lamoriello was a regular suitor, making personal pleas on a daily basis.