New York Islanders winger P.A. Parenteau has apparently had his fill of Long Island, as the 29-year-old Quebec native will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
The announcement was made via Twitter by Parenteau's agent, Allan Walsh (@walsha), giving teams in search of offensive help one more name to target seriously when free agency officially begins this Sunday.
Parenteau has played the last two seasons with the Islanders, signing a one-year contract in the summer of 2010 after spending the previous three seasons in the organization of the rival New York Rangers. He scored three goals and handed out five assists in 22 games for the Blueshirts in the 2009-10 season, but truly blossomed on Long Island, scoring 20 goals and handing out 33 assists in 81 games in 2010-11. That earned him a hefty raise in 2011-12, and he responded with a career-high 67 points (18 goals, 49 assists). Now he could be due for another big raise, as the 2012 free agent market is thin on offensive talent.
New Jersey Devils star Zach Parise is the unquestioned top target at forward during free agency this summer, as he should be. After Parise, however, many of the other top forwards on the market this summer are on the downsides of their respective careers, including Ray Whitney (who turned 40 last month), Jaromir Jagr (40), Shane Doan (36) and Olli Jokinen (33). Other than Parise, Detroit Red Wings forward Jiri Hudler and Washington Capitals forward Alexander Semin stand out as the top young forwards available, and with Semin a likely candidate to go home to Russia and the KHL, Parenteau stands to be a significant target for teams looking to upgrade on offense.
Just how much Parenteau stands to make this summer is uncertain. He made $1.25 million last season on Long Island, and will undoubtedly make more than that this summer. He probably won't command the same moment as Semin, who made $6.7 million last year, but he could conceivably draw a contract like the $3 million Hudler made this past season, given how few other options there are on the market.
Just who will be willing to step up and pay Parenteau, however, remains to be seen.