Catching up with Mark Parrish
Posted on September 1st, 2009 – 3:48 PMBy Michael Russo
I’ll be back on in an hour or so to post the transcription of a Q&A I had with Wild player rep Nick Schultz on the union situation, but I wanted to quickly let you know I chatted with free agent Mark Parrish down at the Octagon camp this morning in St. Louis Park.
Parrish, the Bloomington native, Plymouth resident and former Wild, is once again in limbo and trying to latch on to a team as NHL training camps approach. Last year, remember, he signed with the Dallas Stars a month into camp and debuted with a hat trick in Anaheim in November.
He’s hoping to sign with a team, but he’s also been talking to his former agent and now GM, Brian Lawton, about a tryout in Tampa Bay and his former Islanders teammate and now GM, Garth Snow, about a tryout with the Islanders.
Both have cap space and room; Tampa’s got a top-six forward slot on the left side.
Parrish looks in exceptional shape and seems to be skating better than ever after working this summer with powerskating extraordinaire Barry Karn, who runs the local Karn Skating Dynamics and works with the Calgary Flames.
“I’ve never felt better on the ice. It’s amazing. I’ve known him for years and finally got stubborn enough to realize I probably need a little help with my skating. I can already feel the difference.”
If it doesn’t work out on the Island or on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Parrish said he’d go to Europe.
“I would if it came to that. I’m not afraid of that. I just want to still play hockey, so if that’s where it would be, that’s where it would be. But I’m still holding out hopes that something will work out here [in the NHL].”
Asked how tough this is, Parrish said, “Not nearly as tough last year. Last year was a lot more tough mentally more than anything and I think that kind of drained on me physically. This summer I came in with a little bit of a clean slate after Dallas, feel good and got to a very good spot mentally. I’m excited to land somewhere.”
Parrish’s wife is also pregnant with the couple’s second child and first son. His name will be Turner.
I’ll be back in an hour.
34 Responses to "Catching up with Mark Parrish"
I certainly am concerned about the union change and what it means for a spoosible strike/lock-out. Another one of those could kill hockey. So interested to hear your Q&A.
ok, tried to edit that but too late–the word is “possible” strike/lock-out
I didn,t follow Parish in Dallas. He opens with the trick,what happened afterthat????
Sadly, not much.
Hard to figure out the Parrish situation due to the fact that the years in Minnesota he had to play for a coach known as Latrap in Canada. Maybe his skills have diminsihed or is it a coach that has know clue about putting the puck in the net.
Not trying to sound arrogant, but when people on this blog were ready to jump off the ledge because we bought out Mark Parrish and he scored a hat trick in his first game back, I tried to point out that he also scored a hat trick in his first season in Minnesota and didn’t even break the 20 goal mark by the end of that year.
Fabian Brunstrom(SP?) also scored a hat trick in his rookie debut for Dallas last year and everyone was talking about Calder winner. How did he do the rest of the season? Pretty mediocre.
There is a huge difference when you have all star come to your team rather than a rookie.
Michael–it’s been an hour and a half. RinkRat–huh?
IMO - Parrish was an All-Star by default. He was the best player on a sh*t team, if we’re both talking about his appearance to the All-Star game while he played for the Islanders.
As much as we all like Parrish–a really good guy–when he came to the Wild he was far from an all-star.
I hope Parrish goes to Tampa! Good luck Parrish!
Not great news for Veilleux, but Parrish would look great with VL and Tanguay. With the Wild, Parrish always produced when he had strong linemates. Hopefully, he can do the same in Tampa.
Woodcock, that was the coache’s fault, not Parrish’s.
Parrish was overhyped when he came here. A player that could stand in front of the net, deflect, tip, and ram in goals was something the Wild needed at the time but most people, including DR, overlooked all the other parts of his game that were lacking (skating, passing, defense, etc.). He was a decent goal scorer on crappy teams (FLA, NYI, LA).
I think he was given a fair shot and it simply didn’t work out. It didn’t work out because of his overall game and the type of linemates Lemaire had at his disposal to put with him at even strength.
I think it’s misguided to blame Lemaire and the system. You can look no further than Owen Nolan’s success last year. He played the same type of minutes Parrish was getting but he was simply more effective (but his skating & defense aren’t much different) because he’s simply a better overall player.
DR had the right idea (finding a front of the net presence) when he signed Parrish but signed the wrong guy.
Unfortunately for DR it was very tempting because it made for a good story (MN boy) and there were only so many players willing to sign in Minnesota.
Tell you the truth I wouldn’t mind seeing Parrish back in a Minnesota sweater. Andrew Burnett came back and didn’t do much last years. So I say what the heck go for what else do we have to lose. I am just saying whats up with the! LOL
The year Parrish was an all star (02) he wasn’t the only All Star on the Isles. He scored 30 goals that year, most of them at the beginning of the season. This is why he was chosen.
Russo comments re: Parish finaly listening and improving his skating might earn him a tryout…why not with the Wild?
Russo: IF the Wild were to sign Parrish, would they have to pay him anything since they already are?
So you all might not think it is a bad idea. It’s worth a shot right?
I agree with JON, Parrish didn’t listen when he was in Minny and we are still paying for it.
I say as long as we’re paying him, let’s bring him in for a tryout. He’s already a better 4th line RW than Weller.
Maybe he sisn’t listen because he was with Lemaire. Now with the new coach maybe it will be different.
[…] Parrish, like Chelios, is looking for an NHL team to invite him to training camp, and has had some talks with the Lightning and Islanders, explains Michael […]
R: Parish salary He deseves the amount agreed to under the previous contract however I bet he would accept the least amount allowable for the chance to show his newly gained skating prowess. Plus a new coachable atitude.INVITE HIM TO CAMP…
Why not give the guy a try-out? He improved his skating and will be hungry for a job.
Seismic says:
September 1st, 2009 at 8:30 pm EDIT
Russo: IF the Wild were to sign Parrish, would they have to pay him anything since they already are?
Yes, they’d have to sign him to a contract like any UFA. He’d continue to get his buyout and that would count against the cap.
Russo; Did Parish look to you like he deserves a tryout with the Wild?
The wild are still paying this guy, they might as well put him to work for it.
[…] + Mark Parrish is once again in limbo and trying to latch on to a team as NHL training camps approach. Last year, remember, he signed with the Dallas Stars a month into camp and debuted with a hat trick in Anaheim in November. He’s hoping to sign with a team, but he’s also been talking to his former agent and now GM, Brian Lawton, about a tryout in Tampa Bay and his former Islanders teammate and now GM, Garth Snow, about a tryout with the Islanders. [Star-Tribune] […]
Another skoula type player that had his few good days with the Islanders. Good guy, but not good enough for the NHL.
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Lucky says:
September 1st, 2009 at 5:22 pm
IMO - Parrish was an All-Star by default. He was the best player on a sh*t team, if we’re both talking about his appearance to the All-Star game while he played for the Islanders.
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Hey Lucky- ‘02 Isles team ended up one game away from the division title and had numerous all-stars. You have absolutely no clue WTH you are talking about.
If he’s changed his atitude and improved his skating ,as well as being in great shape, whats to lose with a tryout..We are not overly supplied with players.
Chris THE MENTAL CHICK, even comes here to bash people. GET A LIFE.
[…] Michael Russo recently had a chat with hometown star Mark Parrish and posted to his fantastic blog Russo’s Rants. Mark credits Barry with helping him skate better than ever: Parrish looks in exceptional shape and […]
[…] looks in exceptional shape and seems to be skating better than ever,” writes Minnesota Star Tribune’s Mike Russo, “after working this summer with powerskating extraordinaire Barry Karn, who runs […]
