Zach Parise Trade Unlikely Before Deadline, According To Report, But Offseason Deal Possible

Read More: Zach Parise (LW - NJD), New Jersey Devils

Zach Parise will finish the 2011-12 NHL season with the New Jersey Devils, if a Tuesday report in the New York Post is to be believed. According to reporter Mark Everson, the Devils will hang onto their budding star captain at the Feb. 27 trade deadline, although that doesn't rule out a chance that general manager Lou Lamoriello could ship him off prior to July 1, when free agency opens in the league.

Sources say inquiring general managers are getting the word Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is not dealing unrestricted free agent-to-be Zach Parise before the NHL's Feb. 27 trade deadline.

Instead, it is thought if the Devils do not want to re-sign Parise in June, they'll trade his rights to a team that wants an advance shot at negotiations before he becomes free July 1.

Everson doesn't have the best reputation as a reporter among Devils fans, a note worth keeping in mind. But hanging onto Parise does make sense. He's an unrestricted free agent come July, and his value may be higher now than it will be in June, but he's a vital piece of the Devils at present, and they're a team in playoff position.

Trade return on Parise will be high regardless of when he's traded -- whether it be next week or June 4. Lamoriello and the Devils are going to make every attempt to sign him long term before exploring that possibility, however.

For more on Zach Parise, check in with Devils blog In Lou We Trust. For more on all the news and rumors surrounding the 2012 NHL trade deadline, stick with our StoryStream.