Although Wild forward Zach Parise took part in practice on Friday for the first time in training camp, his back troubles are something that he and the team will be monitoring throughout the course of the season, notes Dane Mizutani of the Pioneer Press. Head coach Bruce Boudreau is hopeful to get Parise into a game before the exhibition schedule comes to a close.
The fact that Parise believes this situation is going to have to be watched throughout the season has to be somewhat concerning, not only for this year but possibly beyond if it continues to linger. He is the highest paid forward on the Wild with a cap hit checking in at just over $7.5MM while he has eight years remaining on his contract.
More from the Central:
- It turns out that Joffrey Lupul isn’t the only player that the league is reviewing the medical status for. James Mirtle of The Athletic reports that Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa is also being looked at. The team announced back in June that Hossa would miss all of 2017-18 due to a progressive skin disorder. Placing Hossa (and Lupul) on long-term injury reverse allows both Chicago and Toronto to get back into cap compliance but the league will be taking a closer look before effectively approving their placements. Considering the potential impact on the salary cap, it would seem likely that this will be addressed before the regular season gets underway.
- Colin Wilson’s time with the Predators came to an end this summer when he was dealt to Colorado. He noted to AJ Haefele of BSN Denver that it was a situation where “both parties decided to move on”. Wilson is coming off of a 35 point season with Nashville but has largely been viewed as an underachiever the past few seasons whose cap hit of nearly $4MM was too high for what he brought to the lineup. That should change this season as he will be counted on to play a big role with the Avalanche and will likely start inside their top six.
That Parise contract is looking horrible. 8 years left?? That’s crazy.
It may look crappy on the fan side but the dual parise/suter contract that year put fans in seats and sweaters on backs. It also finally gave Minnesota legitimacy to attract some people while the kids grew into their skates. It will likely be an albatross moving ahead because of the cap hit and diminished play. From a business side, I’m thinking they will come out ahead.
Yeah you’re probably right
Especially since the last 3 years of the contract they only have to pay him a total of $4 million since it’s a weighted contract, it doesn’t help the team salary cap-wise (cap hit is calculated using the per year salary) but again from a business side they are doing alright.