Zach Parise is not joining the Islanders as a nostalgia trip, even though there could be plenty of that. His father, J.P. Parise, scored one of the most memorable playoff goals in team history against the Rangers in overtime in 1975 and the organization famously passed on him in the 2003 NHL draft in favor of Robert Nilsson. Plus, there’s his relationship with president and general manager Lou Lamoriello, his old boss with the Devils.
But winger Parise chose the Islanders because he believes he still can be a productive player for a Stanley Cup contender.