Former Minnesota Wild winger Zach Parise could be headed to a Central Division rival, according to NHL insider Michael Russo.
Russo reported on his Worst Seats in the House podcast Tuesday that Parise is “close to signing” with the Colorado Avalanche, who enter play Thursday 31-14-3, tied with Winnipeg atop the Central Division.
“I think it will happen in the next couple days,” Russo said. “My guess is he’ll skate with them through the end of the All-Star break and then be ready to debut. I think Colorado is the team he’s going to.”
The 39-year-old has been out of a contract after the expiration of his deal with the New York Islanders at the end of the 2022-23 season. Parise scored 69 points (36 goals and 33 assists) over the past two season with New York.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if, now jumping in the middle of the season, he provides a spark wherever he ends up,” added Russo’s co-host and Wild TV play-by-play announcer Anthony LaPanta.
Russo noted there was interest from the Boston Bruins and the Islanders.
In nine years with his hometown Minnesota Wild, Parise scored 400 points (199 goals and 201 assists) before being bought out at the end of the of the 2020-21 season.
Minnesota and Colorado meet two more times in the regular season, first on March 8 in Denver and then again on April 4 in St. Paul.
Zach Parise conversation starts at the 22:00 mark of the podcast below
