Zach Parise would like to be back for a second season with the Islanders, even though he’s not sure whether he’ll still be with the team past Monday’s NHL trade deadline.
"I’d love to, yeah," the impending unrestricted free agent said before the Islanders faced the playoff-bound Rangers on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden to conclude a two-game road trip. "I really have enjoyed being with this team and these players. It’s been a blast, really."
But the Islanders, who dropped 19 points behind the Capitals for the final playoff spot after Tuesday night’s, 4-3, eight-round shootout loss in Washington, are all but certain to miss the playoffs for the first time in four seasons under president and general manager Lou Lamoriello and coach Barry Trotz.