Pucks and Pitchforks
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Meet New Jersey Devils Most Underappreciated Player: Kyle Palmieri

By Kevin Whalen

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 21: Kyle Palmieri #21 of the New Jersey Devils is congratulated by teammates on the bench after he scored in the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at Prudential Center on November 21, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 21: Kyle Palmieri #21 of the New Jersey Devils is congratulated by teammates on the bench after he scored in the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at Prudential Center on November 21, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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An underappreciated player. Every team from every sport has at least one on their team. The New Jersey Devils have their own in Kyle Palmieri. He possesses an all-around game, back checks, blocks shots, is an integral part of the power play and compliments his linemates on both offense and defense.

The argument can be made that Palmieri is a top-line winger. This doesn’t account for every team, but he certainly is on the Devils. He has been a model of consistency for them since coming from Anaheim at the start of the 2015-16 season.

In his time with the Ducks, he was primarily a bottom-six winger and often used to kill penalties, still a valuable asset. Since then, he has flourished in New Jersey, even though he’s not viewed in that high a regard. In a time when dependable players are few and far between, Palmieri (when healthy) has been a balanced offensive player in both goals and assists (107 goals and 97 assists with the Devils).

He’s been a huge asset for Taylor Hall when the two have been on the same line. He was feeding him constantly the year Hall won the MVP. If Palmieri and Hall can stay healthy together, the two go hand in hand with one another. With another year under their belts, these two could be a very dangerous duo this season.

As the season progresses, it would be great to give Jack Hughes some time with Palmieri, perhaps on the power play.  As Hughes develops, he will ultimately be the guy that makes his wingers better, but for the time being, he needs to have dependable wingers on his side to help gain his confidence and mature as a player. Palmieri absolutely offers that for a young star like Hughes.

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The Devils have a lot of development to do, but they are on the right path. With a better core and bright prospects, New Jersey will look for some stability at times and Kyle Palmieri will be that stability in all facets of the game.

He will make very few mistakes, be disciplined, offer leadership, and be that all-around player that we have come to expect. Yet, he won’t get the credit Hall, Hughes or Nico Hischier will get. Palmieri will truly be a huge part of this coming year if he can stay healthy with Hall on one line, the success of a strong top line should allow lines behind them to feed off of that energy and be a great complimentary source. Let’s take the necessary time to appreciate a guy like Palmieri, or as I like to call him “Chicken Palmieri”, and understand the good thing the Devils have in a reliable player that makes MVP players shine as he does.

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