StarTribune - To say Zach Parise has evolved is an understatement.
The Wild winger used to be a big proponent of the dump-and-chase game, reminding critics during a classic rant last year that all teams dump the puck, including the Pittsburgh Penguins when they won the Stanley Cup in 2009, and all four conference finalists the previous year, including the New Jersey Devils he captained.
“We went to the Finals dumping and chasing. We did it more than anybody. And we scored a lot,” Parise said in February 2013.
But as the Wild has transitioned to becoming a better puck possession team, Parise has changed his tune dramatically.
“I read a study this summer that showed shots generated off carrying the puck in as opposed to dumping it in, and it’s like 4-to-1. It’s not even close,” said Parise, who is set to make his preseason debut with linemates Mikael Granlund and Jason Pominville against the Penguins on Thursday night. “I just found it so interesting because everyone’s like, ‘Forecheck, forecheck, forecheck.’
“I get it, but you dump the puck, you have to get it back. All you’re doing is giving the puck away. I mean, it’s so hard to get it, why would you give it away?”
The Wild tried to skate the puck into the offensive zone more last season and should be better at it this season if speedsters Erik Haula and Jason Zucker are on the roster full-time and if others gain further confidence.
“I just got kind of, not brainwashed, but my last couple years in New Jersey we were so adamant about dumping the puck in,” Parise said. “But you lose a lot of your creativity and you lose a lot of good touches. I mean, if a ‘D’s in your face, you’ve got no other options and you have to.
“But dump it just to dump it, I’m not a believer anymore in getting rid of the puck when it’s so hard to get. That’s the way we played in New Jersey. We always had a plan: Forwards dumped it in, we knew where it was going and that’s how we got it back. But the more I thought about it, possession is just so much better than dumping it in. Dumping it should be, I don’t want to say your last option, but your second or third option.”
Well look here, Captain America himself is questioning one of the most established and certainties of the world.. Taxes, death and dump and chase. Not only trying to be one of the best players in today's game, but also trying to redefine something that has been prevalent for so long. Can't say I hate his hustle, but don't you think somewhere at some point someone has thought about this before and there is a reason why every hockey team in the world dumps and chases? I get what he is saying, I really do. If there is not a need to dump the puck, DONT. However, more often than not, when you are in the neutral zone you are out numbered and don't have a play. The better place to turn over the puck will forever and always be behind the other teams goal rather than at the red line. That theory will never change.
BTW: Dump and Chase is one of the greatest sayings in hockey, not quite as good as Dump and Change, but if dump and chase becomes obsolete, it only begs the question, what will happen to dump and change??
Holy Olli Canoli!! Now I'm no goalie coach or goalie expert but I'm definitely a believer in the old saying "look good, feel good, play good" and Tim, you are doing none of that. For Gods sake get some fucking matching pads! I understand if you don't have them for a couple days after you get traded to your new team but a couple weeks has come and gone and he is still rocking the hideous red blue and yellow Panther pads. If I was a Stars fan I would be pissed, like I don't think I could even watch a full 60 minutes of Stars hockey. Watch him after he lets in the goal just bitching at his D for leaving Olli alone in front, can't say I blame his teammates on that one. If you can't get some matching equipment expect guys to be open in the slot all night long. Common logic.
