New Jersey Devils: 5 Teams That Should Be In On Kyle Palmieri

New York Islanders

The Devils and Islanders make the most sense on paper for a Kyle Palmieri trade. The Islanders literally just lost Anders Lee for the rest of the season. They have a chance to make a push to the Stanley Cup Final after getting so close last season. Everything seems to be falling into place before the Lee injury. Now, they have to replace his production.

Lou Lamoriello has been willing to make deals for players he used to call his own before. He traded for Andy Greene last season, and that’s worked out very well for them. Lamoriello wasn’t technically the GM when the Devils traded for Palmieri, but he was still in the organization. Maybe he was deep in those talks, or maybe it was all Ray Shero. Either way, Lamoriello hasn’t been shy when it comes to trading with the Devils.

Palmieri does everything else on the ice besides score, which would fit perfectly in the Barry Trotz system. He shouldn’t be on the penalty kill because that takes away from his minutes he could be a scoring winger, but he’s been on the PK this season. That shows his willingness to do everything to help the team win.

The Islanders are seeing a lot of their great prospects graduating into the NHL, so it will be impossible to get them in a deal. However, Bode Wilde and Robin Salo are both very interesting defensive prospects that are probably close to NHL ready. Also, as with everyone, picks will be on the table. The Islanders spent big to get Jean-Gabriel Pageau last season, so Lamoriello is still willing to spend picks when the right piece comes along.