Coveted unrestricted free agent Zach Parise has yet to make a decision on where he will sign.
"I'm getting closer but haven't made a decision. I haven't set any deadlines," the former New Jersey Devil told reporters during an impromptu news conference outside of his agent's Toronto offices Monday night.
While the 27-year-old winger gave the impression he planned to head home to Minnesota and consult with family before making a final call, his agent, Wade Arnott, told ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun that Parise will remain in Toronto and discuss his options with his fiance.
Parise insisted he is not being pressured to hasten the process by any of the teams with offers on the table, which Arnott said was narrowed to a "small, select group" on Sunday when the free-agency period began.
Although it is unclear what teams remain in contention to land the star forward, Parise confirmed the Devils are still in the mix. Pittsburgh, Detroit, Minnesota and Nashville are also among the teams trying to lure him away from the only team he has played for in his NHL career. A source told ESPNChicago.com's Jesse Rogers that the Chicago Blackhawks are "being considered."
Parise and 27-year-old defenseman Ryan Suter were the top players to hit the market. Suter, who also has played for only one team, the Nashville Predators, seemed to want more than a day to pick a place to play as well.
"There will be no decision on Ryan Suter tonight and there is no timetable for his contract signing at this time," Suter's agent Neil Sheehy told ESPN.com's LeBrun. "Ryan is considering his opportunities and is taking the necessary time to give each proper consideration."
Parise scored 31 goals last season and had 69 points in his first year as New Jersey Devils captain and contributed 15 postseason points during a run to the Stanley Cup finals. He has 194 goals and 410 career points over seven seasons with the franchise that drafted him. New Jersey selected him 17th overall in 2003 and he made his NHL debut two years later.
Suter had seven goals and 46 points last season with the Predators. He has 38 goals and 238 points in an NHL career that started in 2005, two years after Nashville drafted him No. 7 overall.
Parise, who is from Minnesota, and Suter, a native of Wisconsin, helped the U.S. win silver at the 2010 Olympics.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
