Jul 30, 2008 - 8:09 AM
0 shoutsST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) - Mark Parrish's career with the Minnesota Wild is over.
The Wild waived Parrish on Tuesday with three years remaining on his contract, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Parrish, a Minnesota native who signed a five-year, $13.25 million contract with the Wild before the 2006-07 campaign, has struggled with injuries the last two seasons, notching just 35 goals and 34 assists over that span.
"It was a dream of mine growing up to play for the (Minnesota) North Stars. Since they were gone, the Wild was the next best thing," Parrish told the newspaper. "It's great that I got to fulfill that part of the dream, but I can definitely say it didn't go as I had hoped."
Minnesota general manager Doug Risebrough decided to part ways with the 31-year-old right wing in order to save money under the salary cap. The Star Tribune reports that the Wild are just $2.13 million under the $56.7 million salary cap.
If Parrish is claimed by another team, the Wild would be off the hook for the $8.35 million remaining over the final three years of his contract. Parrish's contract will be bought out by Minnesota for two-thirds that price if he passes through waivers unclaimed.
"So I'm not sure it's totally about Mark's performance as it's just really the only option," Risebrough told the newspaper. "All older players have to learn to adjust their games somewhat because their skills aren't necessarily the same. Mark is that type of player. ... Right now, here, he was not giving a $2.8 million performance or $2.65 million (cap hit)."
