Devils Trade Targets: A Kyle Palmieri Reunion
The New Jersey Devils need more five-on-five scoring, and Kyle Palmieri could be a good fit if he becomes available.
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Though the New Jersey Devils didn't have much success in his time here, Kyle Palmieri was highly productive during his stint in the red and black. Fast forward nearly four years after they traded him, and could a reunion be in the cards?
In a fun Valentine's Day-themed post for Daily Faceoff, Frank Seravalli had Palmieri as a trade-deadline match for the Devils. There's no doubt the Devils need scoring ahead of the deadline, and Palmieri could be a fit.
Palmieri Hasn't Regressed Much Since His Devils Days
Hindsight is 20/20, but the Devils probably should have kept Palmieri in 2021 instead of trading him to the New York Islanders. One) They bungled the first-round pick they received in that trade, using it to draft Chase Stillman 29th overall. Two) They gave Ondřej Palát a worse contract in free agency a year later, and we know how that's turned out.
Palmieri is more or less the same player he was with the Devils. He's averaged 24 goals and 49 points per 82 games in his four seasons with the Islanders, and he's been particularly productive over the last two years, averaging 28 goals and 55 points per 82 games.
Palmieri tallied 30 goals for the second time in his career in 2023-24, and he's on pace for 24 goals and 55 points this season. His five-on-five scoring has been what you'd expect of a second-line winger, as he's averaging 1.93 points per 60 minutes this season.
That tracks with his average of 1.87 points per 60 minutes over the last three seasons, this one included, and we know the Devils could use more five-on-five scoring. That's been one of their biggest struggles in 2024-25.
Despite recently turning 34 years old, Palmieri still hasn't lost a ton of foot speed. His top skating speed ranks in the 70th percentile this season, and he ranks in the 62nd percentile in skating bursts over 20 mph. You won't mistake him for a burner, but he can probably still keep up with the Devils' younger, speedier top-six skaters.
Another of Palmieri's features that should appeal to the Devils is his shot. His top shot speed of 95.55 mph ranks in the 97th percentile, and the volume is still there, even though it's ticked down from 2023-24. Overall, his impacts still look solid:
The Devils need a top-six scorer winger, and Palmieri would be a good fit, even if he isn't the sexiest pick. The cost of acquiring him shouldn't be much either, even if Lou Lamoriello imposes a division tax on the Devils.
Cost of Acquiring Palmieri
The Islanders are only four points out of a playoff spot, so they could still be buyers. We know how Lamoriello operates in that position, but I have to imagine they will be sellers come March 7, making Palmieri available.
Even though the Devils and Islanders are division rivals, Palmieri should not cost much to acquire. The Devils traded Tyler Toffoli to the Winnipeg Jets for second and third-round picks last season, and he led the team with 26 goals at the time of the deal.
Palmieri could fetch almost the same return; even Seravalli had Palmieri going to the Devils for second and third-round picks. But as I noted in a post for The Hockey Writers yesterday, Palmieri could fetch a similar return to what the Ottawa Senators received for Vladimir Tarasenko last year — third and fourth-round picks.
Perhaps that'd be the price for a team that isn't a division rival, but regardless, he shouldn't cost much more than what the Devils netted for Toffoli.
One thing I've seen and heard from a couple of people is, "Would Lou sell to a division rival?" That's been his M.O. for as long as he's been in hockey. I can't tell you if he would change, but Lamoriello always seems to do right by his players.
Palmieri is a New Jersey native and obviously has ties to the Devils. He also has a 16-team no-trade list, so he'll have plenty of say about where he goes at the trade deadline if the Islanders move him. If the Devils make an offer and he wants to go there, I think Lamoriello would do right by him and send him to New Jersey. Maybe I'm wrong about that, but it wouldn't shock me if that's how it plays out.
Palmieri Is a Good Fit
Palmieri is a good fit for the Devils. It's not about nostalgia. He can still skate relatively well, and his shot remains among the better ones in the NHL.
The cost of acquiring him shouldn't be much either, even with the Devils being a division rival and likely needing some retention on his $5 million cap hit.
I know general manager Tom Fitzgerald doesn't love acquiring rentals, but if the Devils don't want to throw in all their top trade chips to acquire top-six help at the deadline, Palmieri makes plenty of sense, given his acquisition cost.
Imagine a Devils top six that looks similar to this:
Timo Meier - Nico Hischier - Palmieri
Jesper Bratt - Jack Hughes - Dawson Mercer
or
Meier - Hischier - Mercer
Bratt - Hughes - Palmieri
With all due respect to Palát, who's been serviceable this season, the Devils need to push him down the lineup. The same can be said of Stefan Noesen. That's not a slight on his play, but the Devils are a better team when he's on the third line.
Acquiring Palmieri would help move someone down the lineup, and he's a fit for what the Devils need in their top six at what should be a relatively inexpensive cost.
Advanced stats from Natural Stat Trick, NHL EDGE
Hoping this happens!
Chase fucking Stillman. My god.