Zach Parise: What Does His One-Year Deal Mean to the New Jersey Devils?

Zach Parise has signed a one-year contract worth $6 million. 

But what does this mean for the franchise? Furthermore, what does this mean for the league?

Well first of all, this is only good news for the New Jersey Devils. 

This gives general manager Lou Lamoriello one more year to work with Parise and try to score a long-term deal. They cannot officially extend the contract until the new year, but talks should continue. 

The deal also means that the Devils avoid arbitration, which always seems to be a crap shoot. If Parise did happen to go to arbitration, it is very possible that he could be awarded substantially more than the $6 million the Devils signed him for. 

The Devils had to make room for Parise. They had to trade away veteran forward Brian Rolston to the New York Islanders in order to make space for him. 

Parise is a great player no doubt. But he does have a history of injury. Just last season, Parise managed to play only 13 games with a knee injury.

Who knows? Sometimes after a knee injury, the knee is never the same again, think Tiger Woods. 

As for the league in general, there should be mixed reviews. 

One one hand, the signing means that Parise will not be on the market for this season. 

On the other hand, the Devils failed to sign him long-term, meaning that it is very possible that teams can have a bidding frenzy for Parise's services next season. He may even be available at the trade deadline if the Devils are out of playoff contention. 

Overall, this deal could end up being good for the Devils or for the lucky team that earns his services next summer.