The Penguins did everything in their power to sign Zach Parise. They cleared up cap space by trading Zbynek Michalek and Jordan Staal, they had Sidney Crosby and Paul Martin talk to Parise about the benefits of joining an elite team, they even offered a hefty contract in the neighborhood of $8-9 million a year over a decade.
In the end, Parise decided to come home to Minnesota. Just minutes after Ryan Suter signed with the Wild for $98 million over 13 years, Parise decided to follow suit, signing the exact same contract.
“Ryan (Suter) and I talked throughout the year, saying, ‘wouldn’t it be great?'” Parise told reporters, Wednesday.
Parise will leave New Jersey after seven seasons, where he led the Devils to a Stanley Cup last season. The Devils, facing a tough financial situation, lobbied hard to re-sign Parise where he registered 416 points in 502 games.
It took Zach Parise four days to decide on a team and now the Penguins are in a precarious situation with $15 million in cap space and few free agents available. Alexander Semin is the most talented winger remaining, however, with the questions of his character, the Penguins are sure to pass. Shane Doan’s name has been thrown around but he will not sign until July 9th, assuming the Phoenix Coyotes do not lose their ownership.
The Penguins could also elect to trade some of their young defensive prospects to land a proven NHL player. At this time, nothing has been rumored.
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