Popular former Islander Mark Parrish was signed today by the club to a professional tryout offer with Bridgeport in the AHL. According to Isles coach Scott Gordon, it’s a 25-game tryout.
Parrish played for Minnesota last season, but his contract was bought out over the summer and he received no free-agent offers in the NHL. Parrish had 25 game-winning goals in four-plus seasons with the Islanders from 2000-01 to 2005-06 when he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings near the end of the season.
The right wing’s best season was the 2001-02 campaign when he totaled 30 goals plus 30 assists for 60 points. He had 24 goals and 41 points through 57 games at the time he was traded in 2006. Parrish spent the past two seasons with the Wild, scoring 16 goals and 30 points last season.
Asked if the 31-year-old Parrish might disrupt the team’s youth movement by taking a roster spot from a younger player, Gordon said, “We can talk youth, but at the end of the day, they have to earn it with their performance. If Parrish is better, it makes us a better team. The onus is on the young player to make sure it’s not taken away.”
At the same time, Gordon cautioned, Parrish must be demonstrably better to win a place with the Isles and an NHL contract. “If everything is equal, we’re better served with the younger player,” Gordon said. “There’s more room for growth and development. We’re not going to change and apple for an apple.”
Comments (40)
I'm sure he signed because no one else wanted him, I mean he didn't even get signed by the big club. Anyway, loved when he played for us, gritty, down in the trench guy, only 31. Maybe a resurrection here on the island. I don't want to hear that there is no room. We don't have that many players lighting it up right now. good sign....we'll see
He was terrible the last few years with the Isles. The only thing Parrish is good for is getting his head beat in, in front of the net while hoping the puck deflects off of himself and into the net. Soft on the puck, weak shot, not responsible in his own end. Been there, done that, move on.
http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/tor081022.html
the only think the mayor left out was that the Islanders are very much welcome
7-1
was DP in net?
Did the defense dress?
Have the Islanders found a 50pt scorer yet?
can one, sub standard draft choice OKyposer help shine a light on Wang-doodle and Snow-job before the NHL step in and move this team to Canada?
This is a good sign. No commitment. Parrish is only 31 and maybe he has something left. He is great on the PP and the Lord knows that the Islanders need all the help they can get on special teams. The only downer on this for me is that here is another "grinder" coming to LI. Why dont we just get Jacques Lemaire and play the trap already!!!!
On another note... since the Islanders will shed Guerin, Weight, and Comrie's contracts for next season and will be wayyyyy under the cap. Why not overpay and get both Gaborik AND Hossa. They are both countrymen (fellow Slovaks), the Isles have the money, what the heck! The last great player who played on LI was a Slovak (Ziggy). I say offer them each 7 year deals for 64 mill each. That will turn this team around fast.
there sure are a ton of bad links on the upper left hand side.
has anyone of those meglomaniac bloggers considered what they'll do when this team moves to Hamilton?
I hoping they'll help off eachother in tha parking lot, maybe they'll drink some kool-aid, or have a big western style shoot out, or bring a trident and MAKE LOUD NOISES!!!
as long as they die with the islanders alls good right?
I'm not sure where Parrish fits in system based on skating and forechecking. Snow is becoming synonymous with hypocrisy.
Parrish will help on a power play based on point shots, rebounds redirections and tip ins...he is one of the best in the business... not only that they're going to have to hire a mason to make his skates...
I'm all for promoting him if he can play in the system in Bridgeport... but I don't have my hopes up too high. Especially if it costs Bergy, Park or Comeau TOI on the Islanders.
We all liked Parrish, but his trade was one of the best things Milbury ever did. If I'm not mistaken he got Tambellini (WIP) AND Grebeshkov (wasted) for a guy who just couldn't keep up in the "new" NHL.
JPinVA,
Parrish is not coming to the Islanders. He is being given a chance to work off some rust, and showcase himself to the other teams in the league, so he can get an NHL contract. That is why its a 25 game tryout. That is why the Isles didn't just give him a 2-way contract and sign him. The Isles know, and Parrish knows, that he would not fit in with what the Isles are trying to do now.
Just look at the quote from Gordon-Parrish must be demonstrably better to win a place with the Isles and an NHL contract. “If everything is equal, we’re better served with the younger player,”
The Isles might be keeping their options open, but he'd have to blow out of the water our younger players, and honestly Parrish can't do that. He isn't coming to the Isle.
And the youth movement continues..........Bwahahahahaha.
Now,this Steady, is TOO FUNNY!!!!!!!!!
Keep telling yourselves that this is a good move, he'll compliment the youth, WHAT YOUTH????????? Bwahahahahaaa........
OK, MM. Yea there helping him get showcased.....why????? Who here owes anything to Parrish????? It's not like the same regime is in place from when he left. That is another good one, we are allowing him a place to prove himself.....IN BRIDGEPORT!!!!! Bwahahahaha.......
I'll borrow from Steady and call myself the Oracle once. You will see Parrish in and Isles sweater before this season is over. Guaranteed. LOCK IT UP!!!!!!!!
Broduer=Crackhead Fleury
True story.
“You know me, I can’t sit still for very long,” Parrish told Point Blank this afternoon. “I was getting all this advice, all well-meaning advice, but it didn’t change the fact that I wasn’t getting any offers. There have been some days when I was just going nuts not being able to play hockey…anywhere.
“But look, it wasn’t like I was feeling sorry for myself. I was just frustrated. There are a lot of pretty good players with NHL resumes who are having trouble getting back in. Who am I to act like I was owed anything”?
Parrish’s 25-game contract is with Bridgeport of the AHL, so the Islanders do not owe him anything, nor have they made him any promises about an NHL job. What they have done is given an old friend, an honest worker and accessible personality his first time here, the chance to get back on his feet. It could be with the Islanders. It could be with any of 30 NHL teams.
“It was funny. I looked at a few options and decided Bridgeport was the best opportunity,” Parrish said today. “I spoke with Garth Snow. He said, ‘Why don’t you take a night and sleep on it.’? I tell ya, there wasn’t any sleeping that night. I just want to get back to playing hockey. We called him the next morning and said, ‘Let’s do this’ and ‘Thanks.’
“I know the organization. It’s where I had some of my best years. Ownership was great to me and I left on really friendly terms with the team. The fans were tremendous to me. (Sound Tigers coach) Jack Capuano is direct and fair. I know Cappy from when he was an assistant with the Islanders. He knows I’m going to be a good teammate to all of his prospects in Bridgeport.
“It got to the point where I was so tired of hearing ‘You don’t have to do this’ and ‘You don’t have to do that’ to get back into the NHL. I’m a hockey player. I’m dying to play hockey. And now I get to do it with an organization that always treated me and my family first-class. I’m really grateful.”
If bloggers are megalomaniacs, what do you consider yourself - man of many names, yet too sheltered to speak his opinion without a real (or recognized) one?
It may be the hopes of non-Islanders fans that the team gets moved to Hamilton, but guess what - the NHL is not going to move the Islanders when there are a handful of teams in the league in worse financial shape.
Mark Parrish isn't the same player he was - no arguments there. However, if the Islanders can pick him up without losing a single prospect, player or pick - AND have a chance at dictating his salary why wouldn't you do it?
The Islanders lack goal scoring, plain and simple. They also need that front of the net presence that Parrish was known for in his time here. He won't score 30 or 40 goals, but anything he pitches in is that much extra compared to what was there.
This is a low risk move and hard to fault.
It also adds a known player to your back pocket, once the trade deadline comes - he can be offered a contract when some of the veterans are moved.
http://www.islesblogger.com
Snow's advantage is that he is not out of touch with with the players. He knows there are tons a quality players that get screwed over by the system. Eventhough I never saw Mark Parrish play, I think it is good move.
What I have noted about Gordon is that when the team gets a penalty he rarely pays any attention to the Ref coming over to explaint he call. He has all his attention on getting the current line out and ready for the Penalty kill.
One of Nolan's main faults IMO is that he whined to and about the Refs too much. It affects the Team and the fans in a negative way. Save the rant for a critical call in a critical game.
Kevin T.
Parrish is softer than Tamby
Kevin T, the Isles won't be playing any "critical games" for a very long time......
Steady(?)
The one thing Parrish is NOT, is SOFT. That guy did the real "tough" work in front of the net. Something that has been missing from the team since he was X-Isled. That being said, his biggest weakness was getting from the front of his net to the front of their net. He was not exactly "swift", and that seems to be a physical attribute that does not mesh with the current philosophical direction.
As far as being worried about him making the team... I'm not. I guess that Snow has an open door policy for US players the way Omar has one for Latinos. I just hope he doesn't score 5 goals in 4 games for Bridgeport and land a 5 year $25M contract (see Castillo).
Not even an AHL contract for Parrish -- a tryout. Are you kidding me? Is there some reason he shouldn't be placed immediately on the Isles' first line? Are they already so loaded with scoring, a proven NHL scorer has to "earn" his way back, while Tambellini keeps skating aimlessly up and down the wing, seemingly afraid of the puck? Also, as far as Gordon and his system, I was going to wait at least 10 games before passing judgement, but it's already making me sick. Just because it worked in the minors with a roster full of young legs doesn't mean it will here in the big time, coach. Just like the child who stubbornly sits alone in the corner trying to force the square peg into the round hole, that's how they're playing, come hell or high water. Does he really expect guys like Weight and Guerin at this advanced stage of their careers to be able to play this way? Please. A good coach keeps an open mind and creates a system suited for who he has to work with on his roster. He doesn't force one on players ill-suited for it. All this anger and frustration after five lousy games!
Parrish is vanilla soft my friend--yes, effective deflecting pucks, but, horrible forechecker, hitting and defensive zone. Guys like him make the Bobbles the laughingstock they are...
Come on JP...You know that is JD aka Gary the troll using "steadys" handle.
Hey Islander fans: We can expect a sellout tomorrow at the Mausoleum considering half the fans will be there for free. Yes, the Islanders are having such a difficult time selling tickets that they are having a "buy one get one free" promotion for their game tomorrow Are the Isles a professional hockey team or a circus act? Sad thing is, they still probably won't reach 5 digits, lol.
But don't worry Islander fans, the Rangers are coming to town Monday. Them and about 10,000 of their closest friends to fill the building.
As its been pointed out, above not me...I have no desire to see Parish and agree he's not tough...but, this development is immaterial to our season. Bobbleheads have a chance to show their mettle vs Avery and then the Rangers.Why do I have so hope...? Have fun troll...Im not changing handles because regs know what i write....
I loved Parrish when he was here. He was a class act and I loved what he did for us. Everyone keeps talking about all these veterans but guerin, weight, etc are 36, 37, 38 years old. What is wrong with giving a guy who is only 31 a chance with the big club. When Sillinger gets back another one of these "young" players are losing time and no one is complaing about that. Has anyone seen our powerplay lately. I like Weight and Guerin and Comrie but these guys do not take the beating in front of the new and deflect shots as well as Parrish can.
I think it's brilliant giving a done player like Mark Parrish a 25 game tryout in Bridgeport.
This way the Islanders have a done player like Bill Guerin taking ice time away from the kids with the big club and a done player like Mark Parrish taking ice time away from kids on the farm team. Kind of equals things out dontcha think?
Hey why hasn't Garth called me yet???? I can still lace them up. Let me call my buddies Nystrom, and Potvin, we can be in game shape in a week!!!
Oh yeah, I forgot Potvin S@#$%
No, Parrish isn't done yet! He's only in this situation because he got screwed by the GM in MN- he was released so late in the summer, teams were already full and had little or no room under the cap to pick him up. He's totally a vicitm of bad timing! He's playing in the AHL to be back PLAYING again instead of sitting on his arse at home, waiting! I'm pumped to have him back our way again. I can only imagine how fired up he must be. He's still got skillz and we need em!
hey if you are a team that loves old washed up vets like the Isles are, Mark Parrish makes sense.
I don't see how Mark Parrish helps a rebuilding team however, but what do I know, I am only a Rangers troll.
Michael S.
I started to read your post but I stopped here -
"the NHL is not going to move the Islanders when there are a handful of teams in the league in worse financial shape."
sorry pal, they are in the worst financial out of all 30 teams.
Columbus puts more butts in seats.
Rag trolls know their 5-0 start was a fluke. That is why they need to infest this Isles blog with their garbage. At the end of the season, after Naslund runs out of gas, Redden causes more goals to be scored on the queen then he protects, and long after Zhederev stops showing the slightest effort; I will laugh when the rags sit at 9th in the conference just out of POs. LOL
After we stomp the rags on the ice in a few days, the trolls will mysteriously be gone for a few days (like usual) licking there wounds.
In the meantime, Rag trolls have fun! It never lasts for you. LOL
the funny thing about your points MM is that the Rangers are 6-2-1 with naslund, Redden and Zherdev pretty much doing nothing.
why are you talkng about the Rangers on an Islander blog?
Al,
Why are you trolling on an Isles blog? That's a better question.
Al, you don't even know how your new players are doing? They seem to be contributing respectably so far. In 9 games they account for 13 points, and 2 PPGs. That's not doing nothing. Even if it won't last.
Nikolai Zherdev 9 2 3 5 5
Markus Naslund 9 2 3 5 -4 0 1
Wade Redden 9 2 1 3 2 2 1
Maybe instead of being so obsessed with the Isles, you should actually watch your own team some time.
MM,
nah, I liked my question better
does it hurt watching a young player like Brandon Dubinsky becoming a superstar while the Isles are rolling out old farts like Bill Guerin, Doug Weight and pretty soon Mark Parrish every night?
The Isles should really have Depends undergarments as a sponsor with all the old players they have.
Al,
Its obvious I watch more rag games then you. You don't even know how your players are doing. Why would it hurt watching Dubinsky play. Unlike you, I'm a hockey fan.I'm impressed by him more so then any of your young players. He is a keeper for sure.
Yawn... old farts... blah, blah, blah.
John McCain has already been locked as a Depends sponsor. So no dice. LOL
Anonymous. Love how you use that name. The garden sells out because you have 10,000+ non hockey fans per game using corporate seats. They cheer because they are drunk and not home dealing with the wife and kids. I prefer to have 9,000 die hard fans who love hockey and know the game any day over the posers in Manhattan. As for the 6 - 7K Rags fans who show up to the Coliseum......if they played on the Isle that would be all you could fill as well.
GUTTY
why do the Rangers have a season ticket waitlist that has thousands of people on it then?
Isles fans you can continue to talk about "only corporate people" go to MSG to make you feel better about your own catostrophic attendance figures, but it's not going to change the fact that if you don't start going to games, the isles will move.
Al,
I can easily answer your question.
"why do the Rangers have a season ticket waitlist that has thousands of people on it then?"
Say the rags put 100 tickets up for sale for any given day (just using a nice easy number for you). A corporation then comes out and buys 90 tickets, leaving only 10 tickets left for the regular rag fans. Thus the waitlist.
Not so complicated, is it? Maybe for you it might be, but I did try to dumb is down so you might have a chance at understanding it. LOL
ummmm, how does single day ticket releases have anything to do with the Rangers having a "SEASON TICKET WAITING LIST" numbering in the thousands?
not too bright are ya MM?
Al,
Logic simply escapes you. If you can't figure it out, I won't waste my time with it.
Have a wonderful day with your Isles obsession, while we all pity and laugh at you. LOL
GARDEN SCENARIO
A Department head at Morgan Stanley can't go to a game so he gives his tickets to a Financial Analyst who looks pretty good in business skirt. She decides to take her 11 year old son to the game because she can't find his father... well actually they won't give out his name at teh sperm bank.
towards the end of the first period she figures out what they've been chanting from the blue section and can be seen escorting her b@st@rd son out covering his ears.
COLISEUM SCENARIO
Season Ticket holder pays $85 to see a Tuesday night game against the Columbus Dinner Jackets. During the game he has time to calculate the relative value of his seat. It comes to a tank of gas and bowl of chili... meanwhile there is a guy sitting next to him who's seat has a similar value... only he gets the gas from the chili.
Hockey, my friends, is not what it used to be!