Parise and the "Decision"

It finally happened: Zach Parise and Ryan Suter have signed identical 13 year, $98 million contracts to play for perennial Cup contender, the Detroit Red Wings! Pittsburgh Penguins!  Minnesota Wild!

Both of the big name free agents took their talents to Minnesota, spurning their small market franchises to join powers with the already settled (and fused) Dankko Heatvu, playing the part of Dwyane Wade.

Parise (Lebron) and Suter (Bosh) were Olympic pals, just like Lebron and Bosh.  They even called the prospects of playing together "intriguing," and had discussions about it.  Where's the public outcry, complete with video clips of Suter jerseys on fire and Devils' fans crying?

THIS IS THE DECISION ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!!!!  Except...

• He's not leaving his title-starved hometown to pick up multiple Cups.  He's committing there, despite their lack of present superstars.   (Koivu's brother Saku has had more headlines during his career, and Heatley only had 53 pts last year. That's why they're fused!)

• Parise isn't the next coming of Gretzky or Lemieux, and the Devils have won multiple Cups without his contributions.

• The Wild already have a devoted fan base.  He's not bringing them to life; he's putting them in a frenzy.

• Zach Parise didn't call attention to where he'd sign.  He wanted to make it in peace.

• Along with Suter and Dankko Heatvu, he hasn't unveiled himself with pyrotechnics like a rock star (yet).

• Signing with another star American is actually a big deal in a sport where the United States need to prove their mettle again and again. 

• He supposedly accepted more money to play there.... s*it, that's a negative comparison.  Forget this point.

In all seriousness, signing along with Suter in Minnesota is great for both of them, and especially Minnesota.  Suter wanted to play somewhere where the media wouldn't eat him alive, and Parise wanted to bring the "State of Hockey" a Stanley Cup of their own.

Minnesota reached the Conference Finals in 2003 as the sixth seed, but that was a flash in the pan.  As the North Stars, Minnesota reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice, only to lose to the Islanders during their dynasty years, and a Pittsburgh team led by Lemieux and Jagr.  Then they were torn from their hockey roots and re-planted in Dallas.

Their fans deserved better, and today they got it.

On the Fourth of July, two of the best American-born players in the NHL signed with their franchise, devoid of any (real) superstars, to give them their best chance at winning their first Stanley Cup.  They're still far from being a favorite, but at least they have hope.

As for Parise, he has the chance to become a hero in his homestate, in front of his family and friends.  And $98 million.