As I head out of town for a week, the NHL continues to be a source of stress for fans across the continent. Zach Parise called a press conference, bringing everyone to the height of ecstasy and making a few poor souls believe this was over. What we got from that was that Parise would head home to Minnesota to get away from the circus, reassess, and make a decision tomorrow.
Or maybe not.
Unlike a certain other UFA this week, Parise has earned the right to drag this out as long as he wants, and the hockey world will just have to wait. Ryan Suter also has made no decision, still being holed up at his farm somewhere in Wisconsin.
Neither man has made a decision, and neither should just yet. While some may be freaking out about them making the call, it makes sense that on a 10+ year deal, they take some time to consider what they are going to do. I'm certainly not going to fault them for that.
Plus, as someone pointed out on Twitter, it's not like we have anything else to talk about.
Join us again today, oh ye of body fluid discussion. And seriously... clean up before you leave. Oh, and some minor free agency news is after the jump.
- Yesterday, the Houston Aeros sign goalie Mike Brodeur to a contract. It is likely a move for depth, in case Matt Hackett or Darcy Kuemper are injured or recalled. He is very likely going to start the season with the Wild's new ECHL affiliate in Orlando.
- Aeros captain Jon DiSalvatore and former Gopher Jeff Taffe both signed deals to play with the Hershey Bears. The Bears are the affiliate of the Washington Capitals, so they are going to a solid organization, to be sure. These moves are most certainly to make room on the contract list and in Houston for the prospects about to turn pro. The
- DiSalvatore move opens up an interesting thought... who becomes the captain in Houston? Our own Ms. Conduct tells us they generally do not give it to the "true prospect types," as they want those players focused on learning the pro game. ANy thoughts on that Wilderness?