"Just 16 shopping days remain until Deadline Day. The word is Zach Parise wishes to concentrate on playing hockey rather than worry about negotiating a deal before Feb. 27. That's when it becomes too late for the Devils to trade him, should they find themselves financially despairing of re-signing him.

Parise, who brings a seven-game point streak into this afternoon's visit by the Panthers, yesterday was silent regarding his upcoming contract. Before clamming up, however, he said he remains open to re-signing with the Devils during the season.

But sources say he's "hockey first" right now, not wanting such a major distraction as negotiations, if possible. That means not discussing his contract status with the media, either.

"I'm not talking about that any more," Parise said.

Parise could be the biggest unrestricted free agent on the market if he reaches July 1 unsigned. The Devils surely would not want to lose him for nothing, but recent word from shoppers indicates general manager Lou Lamoriello is telling them he isn't dealing the term's captain.

With six goals and three assists in his seven-game point streak, Parise has been skating 4 1/2 games with Patrik Elias and Ilya Kovalchuk on a line that stands to be among the most fearsome in hockey.

"Three world-class hockey players," coach Pete DeBoer said. "That's a dynamic line.""