Where Will Parise End Up?

That does seem to be the question on every Wild fan’s mind right now. Where will Zach Parise play next season?

One thing is almost certain…unless the Devils can pull off a financial miracle, New Jersey simply does not have the cap space to keep Parise on the east coast. Will he return to his home state, though?

By the numbers, the Wild can likely make a financial offer to his liking. Chuck Fletcher has managed his cap space well, and with the new crop of superstar prospects coming for tryouts in the fall the Wild are likely to be high on talent and low on costs.

But…Parise has stated that he wants to win a cup, and that means soon. Best situation? Let NJ go all the way this year. Parise gets his cup, and can look to his home state for sentimental reasons. It will be a significant challenge to prove to him that the Wild are moving beyond a rebuilding phase and can be a solid contender in the 2012-2013 season.

What do we know? It’s going to be an interesting summer.

For what it’s worth, the Wild have New Jersey’s 3rd round 2013 pick. It was part of the deal for Zidlicky, and I think we came out ahead. After all, we got more than a bag of pucks.