The New Jersey Devils will once again send Kyle Palmieri to the All-Star Game. It shows how he’s progressed as a member of this franchise.
Kyle Palmieri has just been named to his second-straight All-Star Game. The New Jersey Devils right wing was a replacement for Taylor Hall last season, and this season he was named as the representative outright. He’s having himself a pretty good season this year, with 15 goals and 12 assists already. Palmieri is on pace for his second 30-goal season of his career.
Palms is only the second player to play in two All-Star Games as a member of the Devils since the Lockout. Patrik Elias was selected in 2011 and 2015. Both Taylor Hall and Martin Brodeur were selected to multiple All-Star Games, but they only played in one. Palmieri continues to be a bright spot for a Devils era most of us would like to forget.
Palmieri leads the Devils in goals, points, power play points, game-winning goals, shooting percentage, Corsi For percentage, and Fenwick. He’s been the teams leader after Taylor Hall was traded to the Arizona Coyotes.
Last year, Palmieri helped the Metropolitan Division win the All-Star Game. This year, he will be joined by the likes of Matthew Barzal, Artemi Panarin and John Carlson, all looking to repeat. They will be without last year’s All-Star MVP Sidney Crosby, so Palms might have to do a little more heavy lifting in his second appearance.
Palmieri is deserving of being the Devils rep in St. Louis. He won’t be the best player there, obviously. He doesn’t compare to the Sidney Crosbys and Connor McDavids of the league, however he’s one of the best examples of a player doing the most with his skills thanks to hard work and determination.
Obviously, All Star choices are inconsistent in hockey history because of the Olympics and players electing to sit out the mostly exhibition game, but it’s still an honor to have Palmieri represent the Devils once again. He’s been a constant for a team that’s going through some inconsistencies. He’s finding ways to play up to the level of the opponent, and he doesn’t ever seem to directly ruin a play. His shot is still lethal, and he plays a good enough defensive game that can help the Devils move the puck. That’s the kind of player this All-Star Game might need.