After the 2011-12 season came to a close, the New York Islanders bid farewell to PA Parenteau, who signed a four-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche following two successful years with the Islanders. Now, Parenteau is back, on an extremely team-friendly one-year deal at $1.25 million.
During his tenure with the Islanders, Parenteau notched 20 goals and 33 assists in 2010-11, and 18 goals and 49 assists in 2011-12. Playing alongside John Tavares and Matt Moulson, those two seasons accounted for two of the best of the right winger’s career from a statistical standpoint.
Parenteau departed for free agency and got a generous contract with the Avalanche following his 67-point year. He had yet another good season in Colorado during the 48-game lockout-shortened season, where he put up 18 goals and 25 assists.
But that’s when things went downhill for Parenteau. Knee and head injuries plagued him the following year with the Avalanche, but he still scored 14 goals and 19 assists in 55 games. He was then traded to the Montreal Canadiens, where he had one of the worst years of his career. He scored just eight goals and 14 assists in 56 games while being in Coach Michel Therrien’s doghouse, which resulted in the buyout of his contract.
Parenteau got his career back on track this past season with the bottom-dwelling Toronto Maple Leafs. He managed to score 20 goals and 21 assists in 78 games with the anemic Toronto; which was just the second time in his career he scored 20 goals. Now he’s back with the more offensively sound Islanders.
It’s unclear where Parenteau will play this upcoming season. He could always play right wing alongside Tavares and Andrew Ladd unless Coach Jack Capuano had another player in mind or the Islanders make a trade. If Parenteau plays well, he could also hold a spot on the second or third line.
The stats would tell you that Parenteau had the majority of the best years of his career while playing with Tavares. If he could pot 20 goals with the Maple Leafs, the forward should excel with the Isles once again, whether he plays with a superstar like Tavares or a young up-and-comer like Ryan Strome, Brock Nelson, or possibly even Mathew Barzal.
