Islanders Parise Outplaying Contract Again, The Need For Holmstrom

It’s been a minute, but the New York Islanders are back on home ice Tuesday as they take on the Dallas Stars at 7:30 PM. The Islanders will be on the ice Tuesday morning an optional skate, so we shall see who shows up and if there are any further injury updates from head coach Lane Lambert.

In today’s daily links, we dive into Zach Parise outperforming his contract again and the need for Simon Holmstrom to return to the lineup, as he very well may be back on Tuesday.

Parise Amongst NHL Leaders in Lowest Cost Per Point

Earlier in the season, NYI Hockey Now released a story regarding Zach Parise being one of, if not the best, bang for your buck player in the NHL.

It was evident last season that age had nothing on Parise.

While the production did not come for Parise until the second half of the 2021-22 season, it was evident that his gas tank was anything but empty and that he was worth much more than his $750,000 cap hit.

The then 37-year-old played in all 82 games, the only New York Islanders player to do so, with 15 goals and 20 assists and winning the Bobby Nystrom Leadership Award.

The Islanders announced on the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline that they had agreed to a one-year extension with Parise at the same value.

Through 41 games in 2022-23, Parise, now 38, has 12 goals and seven assists and is on pace for around 40 points, not missing a game, playing on both special teams, and has yet again been playing way above his pay grade.

Parise has not surpassed the 40-point mark since the 2019-20 season when he potted 25 goals with 21 assists in his second-to-last season with the Minnesota Wild.

Sportnet released the top 10 list, courtesy of CapFriendly, on the lowest cost per point this season. Parise is ranked no. 10, right behind Washington Capitals forward and Long Island native forward Sonny Milano.

After his first year on the island, a one-year deal with an AAV of $750,00, Parise signed an identical one-year extension on the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline. At age 38, the question was could he continue to play at that same high pace?

He’s proving that age is just a number with that answer an unarguable yes.

Why Simon Holmstrom’s Return is Critical

New York Islanders 21-year-old forward Simon Holmstrom was one of those call-ups that took advantage of his ice time. Despite just one NHL goal and eight total shots over 14 NHL games, averaging 11:29 TOI per game, his defensive play was electric.

But on Dec. 23, a nasty lower-body hit by Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett forced Holmstrom to go on Injured Reserve and miss six games, and the Islanders went 3-3-0 in his absence. He may not have been the make-or-break player for the Islanders on their rough road trip, but his strong hockey IQ and defense may have helped, especially early in games.

The good news for the Islanders is that Holmstrom was a full participant in his return to practice on Monday and took line rushes alongside Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee.

And here’s why his return is critical:

https://nyihockeynow.com/new-york-islanders-simon-holmstrom-mathew-barzal-anders-lee-simon-holmstrom

Rosner Wrap

Here’s what the New York Islanders said regarding their two days off after their uneventful road trip: New York Islanders.

After two days off, the New York Islanders were back on the practice rink Monday morning. The Islanders welcomed back a familiar face. New York Islanders.

In an exclusive interview with our Joshua Linsenberg, 23-year-old Noah Kane discussed his season with LIU Sharks, what it’s like to grow up with Patrick Kane, and more. New York Islanders.

Aatu Räty has played 7 games at the NHL level this season. Once he hits nine games, back to Bridgeport, he should go: New York Islanders. 

In 2023, slow starts haven’t just been a habit. They seem to be an addiction, and neither Islanders head coach Lane Lambert nor his players know how to stop it: New York Islanders.

For a second-straight season, Brock Nelson will likely lead the slanders in goals. And now, for the first time in his career, he is heading to All-Star Weekend: New York Islanders.

The Islanders are seeing a strong goaltending bond at each level of the organization: New York Islanders.

Do you remember the Islanders bar Offside Tavern? Well, it’s coming back better than ever. New York Islanders.