Zach Parise
This one is extremely expected. After the Colorado Avalanche were eliminated by the Dallas Stars, everyone was talking about it being the last game of Zach Parise’s career. The former Devils captain had said at points during the year that he wanted this season to be his last.
Parise is still somewhat effective. He had two goals this postseason in 11 games, and one was a game-winning goal. He was trying to win his first career Stanley Cup, but it looks like his career is going to end without a ring.
The closest Parise came to winning it all was in 2012. As captain of the New Jersey Devils, he led the team past the Florida Panthers, past the Philadelphia Flyers, past the New York Rangers, and into the Stanley Cup Final against the Los Angeles Kings. After going down 3-0, the Devils scratched and clawed back to a sixth game, which included a Zach Parise goal in Game 5.
Of course, this isn’t another celebration for Devils fans. Parise left for the Minnesota Wild in free agency. While that is his right, the rumors that came out after the signing did not make Devils fans feel good. Who knows what would have happened if he never left?