Zach Parise the Devils’ star spectator hopes to resume two weeks form today what he does best — skating. Two weeks after that, the Devils’ star spectator hopes he can return, and hopes it will still matter.
His surgery comeback is a major issue, of course, but the long-term question is how long the 26-year-old will remain a Devil. Those in the know expect the Devils to take steps to ensure he returns at least for next year.
Parise can become a restricted free agent July 1 and unrestricted in 2012. Though some fear an offer sheet from an opposing team that the Devils couldn’t match in July, the Devils are expected to prevent Parise from even reaching restricted free agency this summer by electing team-requested arbitration by June 15.
That selection and team acceptance of the award would produce an automatic, uncontestable one-year deal that would keep Parise in New Jersey into 2012.
“That’s a possibility, something we’ve talked about,” Parise told The Post before the Devils’ 3-2 victory over the Hurricanes last night at the Prudential Center. “I don’t know if that’s the approach they intend to take. I really don’t know what to expect.”
Until then, Parise will be trying to regain the form that has prompted one general manager to list him as the third-best player in the NHL, behind Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. With the team’s ownership in question, and Ilya Kovalchuk already installed at left wing for $100 million over 15 years, the left wing’s situation is uncertain.
It will be 17 weeks off skates for the heir apparent for the Devils’ captaincy, if he receives expected approval March 2 to test his surgically repaired right knee.
“I’m hoping I will [receive clearance]. I think I could. I’m optimistic,” Parise said, who has ordered up sticks and equipment for his return.
So much has happened since Parise last played Oct. 30 in Los Angeles. The Devils stood 3-8-1 when he went out, nosing over toward a low point of 10-29-2 Jan. 8. Martin Brodeur has suffered elbow and knee injuries, John MacLean was fired Dec. 23, Jacques Lemaire brought back as coach, and long-time mentor and buddy Jamie Langenbrunner was quickly dispatched to Dallas.
Then came New Jersey’s revival. The Devils are 13-1-2 in 16 after last night’s victory. They play host to the Rangers tomorrow and visit Raleigh Saturday, facing the teams that hold the bottom two playoff berths in then conference.
“This week could make a big difference, Carolina twice and the Rangers,” Parise said.
Parise said he believes the Devils can reach their 14th straight playoffs, and are capable of the 19-6 finish they’d need for 88 points.
“Yeah. I think they can. The number we have to get to will be tough, but it’s reachable, definitely reachable. It could happen the way they’re playing,” Parise said.
He despaired during the dark days of December and is relishing the chance to matter that he wasn’t expecting then.
“It’s been awesome,” Parise said. “It’s great. You can tell the guys are having a lot of fun. They’re playing really well, and even when they’re not, they’re finding ways to win. “They’re playing smart, and [coach] Jacques [Lemaire] really got them going.
“The guys are excited. Right now, maybe the sense is we’ve got nothing to lose,” he said.
“They’re just playing relaxed and it makes a big difference.”
Parise’s addition would be comparable to a major trade deadline addition for any late push the Devils mount, making a necessarily red-hot team a terrifying prospect for any playoff foe.
Parise underwent surgery on the meniscus cartilage in his right knee Nov.2.
“They repaired the meniscus rather than take it out. If you take it out, you come back in 2-3 weeks. They stitched it,” Parise said. “It feels good. The pain is less and less every day. A lot of the time I can’t even feel it.”
Parise said he’s trying to downplay his upcoming exam in Cleveland.
“I try not to get too worked up about it,” Parise said. “If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen.
“When it’s safe to play, I’ll play.”
Parise said he hopes that will be this season.
“I think so. I think I will and I hope I will,” he said. “I feel good about the way everything’s going and progressing. I think I have a chance to play.”
The first thing for him will be to return to action. It’s coming, finally.
