It was a decision that simply felt like an eternity. Today marks the ten-year anniversary of the New Jersey Devils‘ version of “The Decision”. That’s when then Devils captain Zach Parise mulled over his options and ultimately decided to go back home to Minnesota. Following his friend Ryan Suter’s footsteps, Parise signed a huge contract of 13 years worth $98M. Moreover, Parise declared independence from the New Jersey Devils.
Devils fans were coming off the high of beating the New York Rangers with Adam Henrique’s overtime goal in the Eastern Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final appearance. However, their luck changed with Steve Bernier’s hit on Rob Scuderi, which was the fatal blow that lost the series to the Los Angeles Kings.
It has been ten long years for Devils fans since Parise left. No one could have imagined how a once-proud franchise would change so much. The NHL had a shortened season afterward due to yet another lockout. The Ilya Kovalchuk desertion and the league circumvention penalty followed. The franchise was on the verge of bankruptcy and then later sold to current owners Joshua Harris and David Blitzer. Eventually, Lou Lamoriello left and the organization, and they’ve only mustered five playoff games in total while riding Taylor Hall’s MVP season.
It has been hell for Devils fans. But at the same time, Parise has been looking for his Stanley Cup. You can’t help but wonder what would have happened had Parise stayed with the Devils. Would Lamoriello have given out bad contracts that followed after Parise’s departure because he was so indecisive during the critical moments after free agency started? We will never know.
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Parise’s legacy in New Jersey will not be forgotten but Devils fans have moved on. Right now, Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes are the faces of the franchise as a result of being gifted two first overall picks within a three-year period. Hopefully one day, they can finish the job that Parise couldn’t. A Stanley Cup.