Zach Parise’s training has indeed taken a step up in intensity, as the former winger has a strong interest in returning to the NHL, a league source confirmed to The Post on Friday morning.
There is not yet a clear picture of when Parise will make a decision about returning or retiring, but things have been trending in the direction of the winger returning as he has been skating at home in Minnesota for nearly two months.
The Athletic’s Chris Johnston was first to report that Parise’s training had ramped up.
It is believed that an Islanders reunion with Parise is the most likely outcome, but that may not be the same level of guarantee it seemed on breakup day last year when No. 11 said, “I think it would be here or nowhere.”
The Athletic noted that multiple teams have interest in Parise.
It is also not 100 percent clear where he would fit in the Islanders’ lineup.
The Islanders, who had won four straight games before a 5-4 shootout loss to the Bruins on Friday, have been playing Simon Holmstrom in the spot Parise occupied last year on Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s left wing.
Julien Gauthier, who is on the right side of that line, would be the player most likely to come out of the lineup, but has played well of late.
From a salary cap perspective, there could be hurdles to climb, as well.
The Islanders have room to work with because Adam Pelech is on long-term injured reserve.
But when the defenseman is healthy, they will need to clear space, having added Mike Reilly and Robert Bortuzzo to fortify their blue line while a series of defensemen have been injured.
Adding Parise, even at the league minimum, would further complicate that situation.
However, after Parise scored 21 goals for the Islanders last season, getting him back would be a major boost for their depth.
Pelech is eligible to come off LTIR starting Tuesday, but do not expect that to happen so soon.
Coach Lane Lambert did not specify an exact timeline, but said Friday he thinks it will take “a little longer” than Tuesday.
Scott Mayfield (upper body) was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 11.
Ryan Pulock (lower body) has yet to begin skating on his own, Lambert said.
Lambert said that Matt Martin (upper body), who was put on IR Tuesday retroactive to Dec. 2 after having previously been activated, suffered a setback in his recovery that morning in Florida.
As to whether Martin would retain his place on the fourth line with Hudson Fasching playing well in his absence, the head coach refused to entertain what he called “a hypothetical question.”
