Zach Parise will not return to the New Jersey Devils next season.
The prized free agent has chosen the Minnesota Wild as his destination, according to a report from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN on Wednesday. The forward will make $98 million over 13 years, according to LeBrun.
He had also been considering the Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers.
Parise had played all of his seven NHL seasons with the Devils. The 27-year-old had 31 goals and 38 assists for 69 points with the Devils last season. He added eight goals and seven assists in the playoffs to help lead the Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Kings.
The Wild also agreed with Ryan Suter on Wednesday, making Independence Day a great day for the organization.
For more on Zach Parise and the Devils, please be sure to check out our blog In Lou We Trust and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.