New Jersey Devil fans have it tough, real tough. If it is not bad enough that the Devils are currently sitting 12th in the standings in the East, young superstar Zach Parise is likely to play for another team come trade deadline or in the off-season.
The Minnesota native Zach Parise is coming into his production years at the age of 27. Playing 7 seasons with the Devils, it is time for some new scenery. With a Silver medal under his belt from 2010, Parise wants a Stanley Cup ring, that of which the Devils won’t do for quite some time.
The Devils of old were once a powerhouse team. Hard hitting defender Scott Stevens, a younger Martin Brodeur between the pipes and head coach Jacques Lemaire made every team cringe. How the years have passed, as the Devils of new are nothing but a pushover. Last year the team missed the playoffs by 12 points. To this day the team is once again sitting on the outside looking in. An argument could be that they are only 2 points back from 8th, but the Eastern Conference is a tricky beast.
My how a few acquisitions, trades and years makes a difference. The Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs have surprised the hockey community as both are currently sitting in playoff spots. It seems Brian Burke’s master plan to take over the hockey world is finally taking form. (insert lightning/thunder/evil laugh now) On the flip side, the Washington Capitals, Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning, all three teams who made the playoffs last season, are currently on the outside looking in. The Devils competition is only going to get tougher.
Over a quarter way in, Parise has only 16 points in 25 games. His total is from a combined 7 goals and 9 assists, a rather poor total for such a player of his caliber. On top of that, Parise has a plus minus rating of negative 10, second to worst on the team, that of which belongs to Ilya Kovalchuk with a negative 11.
Devil fans enjoy the season while it lasts, despite the slow plummet to miss the playoffs yet again. Parise is on the move come trade deadline or free agency. If you are lucky another team will be offering a trade and you can get some depth and draft picks.
MN Wild will be a great fit for Zach! Welcome home
If Brian Burke wants to join or start a “gay hockey player movement” than he should do that, If he wants to try to win a Stanley Cup, than he should do that.
First and foremost, I don’t think your shot at a “gay hockey movement” is relevant to your point. Brian Burke is one of the best hockey GMs in the game right now. For any Toronto Maple Leaf fan to believe that the team is going to change and become a Stanley Cup contender in one year is downright ignorant of hockey.
To comment again on your “gay hockey movement” knock, if you think Burke is in any way distracted and not focused on the Maple Leafs you are wrong. He extended Ron Wilson’s contract and then fired him because he was not getting the boys to win. This, despite some peoples thoughts, is tough to do. Furthermore, if you feel Burke is incorrect in a “gay hockey movement” that honors his son who passed away in a car accident, I think you have some more problems than your simple worries about a struggling hockey club.