Revisiting the Past: What if Zach Parise and Ryan Suter Finished Their Contracts in Minnesota?

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Spielerportrait von Ryan Suter - St. Louis Blues
The 2012 NHL free agency period was one of the most memorable in recent history, with two of the biggest names on the market being Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The highly coveted duo ultimately signed identical 13-year, $98 million contracts with the Minnesota Wild, a move that was expected to bring a Stanley Cup championship to the State of Hockey. However, things didn't quite work out as planned. In this article, we'll explore what could have been if Parise and Suter finished their contracts in Minnesota.
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A Promising Start

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When Parise and Suter joined the Wild, they were expected to be the missing pieces to a championship puzzle. The team had a strong core of players, including Mikko Koivu, Jared Spurgeon, and Niklas Backstrom, and the additions of Parise and Suter were seen as the final pieces needed to bring a title to Minnesota. The duo's first season with the team was promising, with Parise scoring 38 points in 48 games and Suter notching 32 points in 48 games.
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Decline and Departure

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However, as the years went by, the team's performance began to decline. Parise struggled with injuries, playing in only 69 games over the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons combined. Suter, on the other hand, continued to log heavy minutes, but his production began to slow down. The team failed to make a deep playoff run, and the contracts that were once seen as a bargain began to look like a burden. In 2021, the Wild bought out the remaining four years of Parise's contract, and Suter's contract was terminated via buyout as well.
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What Could Have Been

So, what if Parise and Suter finished their contracts in Minnesota? It's likely that the team would have been stuck with two highly paid players who were no longer producing at an elite level. The cap space would have been tied up, making it difficult for the team to make other moves to improve the roster. The Wild may have been forced to trade other key players or sacrifice draft picks to free up space, potentially hindering the team's long-term success. On the other hand, if Parise and Suter had been able to maintain their level of play, the Wild may have been able to make a deep playoff run. The team had some promising young players, including Charlie Coyle and Nino Niederreiter, and the addition of a healthy and productive Parise and Suter could have made them a formidable opponent in the Western Conference.
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Lessons Learned

The story of Parise and Suter serves as a cautionary tale for NHL teams. While signing top free agents can be exciting, it's essential to consider the long-term implications of such deals. The Wild's decision to sign Parise and Suter to 13-year contracts was seen as a bold move at the time, but it ultimately backfired. Teams must be careful not to sacrifice their future for the sake of short-term gains. In conclusion, while it's impossible to know for certain how things would have played out if Parise and Suter finished their contracts in Minnesota, it's likely that the team would have been stuck with two highly paid players who were no longer producing at an elite level. The Wild's decision to buy out their contracts was likely the best move for the team, allowing them to move on and rebuild for the future. As the NHL continues to evolve, teams must be mindful of the risks and rewards of signing top free agents to long-term deals.

Keyword: Zach Parise, Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild, NHL, Free Agency