New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello confirmed unsigned veteran Zach Parise won't be with the club for training camp this month but didn't rule out reuniting with the winger later in the season.
"Zach will be with his family," Lamoriello told NHL.com. "We will see how the rest of the season goes, but right now, it's important for him to be there. He's spent a couple of years away, and so that is the decision at this point."
He added: "To my knowledge, he is not retiring. In fact, I don't feel he will at this point."
Parise acknowledged his uncertain future after New York was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Carolina Hurricanes, saying he'd likely play for the Islanders or retire.
The 39-year-old hit unrestricted free agency this summer after signing one-year deals with the Islanders each of the past two seasons. Parise was bought out by the Minnesota Wild in the summer of 2021 with four seasons remaining on the monster 13-year, $98-million contract he signed to suit up in his home state in 2012.
The Islanders are roughly $486,000 over the salary cap with just over a month until their first regular season game, according to Cap Friendly.
Parise appeared in all 82 games in both seasons with the Islanders, putting up a combined 69 points.
Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.