In the playoffs, it looked like Zach Parise might have some gas left in the tank, especially after the first round, as he performed quite well for the Avalanche against the Winnipeg Jets. He made it clear down the stretch that it was his last season in the NHL, but you just never know if a competitor like that might change his mind after some time away.

Nope, nothing has changed for Parise, although he hasn’t made it official just yet.

“I haven’t filed the (retirement) papers yet, but I’m done,” Parise told Kevin Karius on his podcast last week.

Parise was recently coaching his son Jaxson and Team Minnesota at the Brick Invitational, and joined Karius in studio on his podcast to discuss a variety of topics, including his time with the Avalanche to finish his NHL career. Parise signed back in February, playing 30 regular season games for Colorado and all 11 in the playoffs.

“A great experience to play with those guys at the end,” Parise said. “Physically, I felt great. I really did. But mentally, when you know it’s time, you know it’s time, and for me, that’s now.”

Not filing the retirement papers leaves a little bit of wiggle room, but it sounds like Parise has made up his mind. That means his final NHL game will end up being that 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars in Game Six. The veteran went through an extended slump until the final game of the regular season, and then was crucial in the Avalanche beating the Winnipeg Jets in round one, filling in on the second line because of the injury to Jonathan Drouin.

Beyond his play on the ice, he was a valuable presence in the locker room. Nikolai Kovalenko’s locker was right next to Parise’s at Ball Arena, and during skates, you could see the young forward hovering around the veteran. Not exactly the worst guy to linger around and learn from if you’re a smaller forward like Kovalenko.

1,254 games.

434 goals.

889 points.

Pretty nice NHL career, if I must say so myself. Congratulations to Parise, and best of luck in retirement.