With the Devils still very much in the hunt, the trimmed-down list of suitors may have even expanded. So free agent Zach Parise, the incumbent Devils captain, decided not to decide yesterday where he’ll play his next dozen-or-so seasons.
Instead, Parise said he was leaving Ontario to discuss his options with his family in Minnesota. He is believed to be weighing offers in the $100 million range for eight-to-13 years from the Devils, Penguins, Red Wings, Wild and Flyers. The Blackhawks, who didn’t get Martin Brodeur, were said to have joined the chase.
“It’s such a long-term, important decision, you have to make sure you look at everything,” Parise told reporters outside Toronto.
Although Parise refused to say he’ll decide today, agent Wade Arnott said the verdict may be near.
“We have thoroughly deliberated every option with Zach,” Arnott said in a text message. “He wishes to take some time to step back and review all with his fiancée and his family. We could be drawing closer to a decision.”
Parise and Predators defenseman Ryan Suter, the two top unrestricted free agents, might go to the same team, but their delay is making their suitors wait on signing other players.
Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador has some four teams pursuing him, but that decision is waiting on the signing of Flyers defenseman Matt Carle, which is hanging on Suter.
Parise made $6 million last season from a team-requested arbitration. He was drafted by the Devils in the first round in 2003 and went 31-38-69 in all 82 games last season, coming back from knee surgery that ruined 2010-11.
Parise said general manager Lou Lamoriello told him the team’s financial troubles should not hinder these negotiations.
“In speaking with Lou, he said that won’t be a problem,” Parise said.
Parise would not say whether he would make his decision today.
Brodeur, who re-signed with the Devils as an unrestricted free agent for two years for a total of $9 million, said he has spoken repeatedly in the past three days with Parise, and is optimistic Parise will return.
“I talked to him a lot yesterday and this morning again,” Brodeur said. “The Devils are right in there for him. He’s really weighing his options. By no means is he not thinking about coming back.”