The trade deadline inches closer every day and the New York Islanders slowly drift into seller’s territory. They’ve lost four games in a row and their Feb. 25 game was a flat-out embarrassment on their home ice as they lost 5-1 to the New York Rangers. Their general manager (GM) Lou Lamoriello avoids selling at all costs but considering the state of the Islanders, he might have to do just that.
Related: 4 Trade Destinations for Islanders’ Brock Nelson
Kyle Palmieri is an under-the-radar trade target not just on the Islanders’ roster but in the NHL. Brock Nelson is the top scorer on the trade block, but Palmieri has just as many goals this season with 17 and his shot from the wing makes him a top target. He’s the skater who can put a forward unit over the top for teams looking to make a deep playoff run.
New Jersey Devils
Palmieri spent six of his prime seasons with the New Jersey Devils and was a key part of their roster when they were at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. A return makes sense and would be a full-circle moment as he can take a good team and make it great. The Devils need depth scoring and Palmieri fits the bill as he can either slide up to the second line or slot in on the third line and provide a scoring presence on the wing.
The Devils have enough young NHL players and prospects to convince Lamoriello to make the trade as well. Whether it is Simon Nemec, the promising defenseman who has fallen out of favor with the NHL team, or Dawson Mercer, who is a young middle-six skater, they have the pieces to move in a deal for Palmieri. He’s an unrestricted free agent (UFA) after the season but if there’s any team that has a great case to extend him, it’s the Devils, the franchise he spent most of his NHL career with.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Just when the Tampa Bay Lightning look like a team on the decline, they manage to keep their contention window open. The Jake Guentzel signing has paid off, and the team is in third place in the Atlantic Division and shaping up to have a deep playoff run. While they have a great roster, they still are a top-heavy group led by four or five forwards, two defensemen, and an elite goaltender.
They need help on their second and third-line wings. Palmieri provides them with that. While the Lightning don’t have a great prospect pool or many pieces to send back in a deal, they have a young skater in Gage Goncalves who has played great in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Syracuse Crunch. Pairing Goncalves with a draft pick could sway the Islanders to move on from their rental forward.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs feel like a different team this season and the good times are rolling at the moment. They have three wins in a row including a comeback win against the Boston Bruins on Feb. 25 where Mitch Marner scored the overtime winner (must be something about playing in Boston). The only question is where does this team improve?
Ideally, they add Nelson to the offense as he is the best player available. However, making a move for Palmieri makes more sense. The Maple Leafs are set down the middle but have question marks on the wing, and that’s where Palmieri comes into play. Adding him sets this team up for a deep playoff run, something they haven’t had in the Auston Matthews era but look capable of doing with the way things are shaping up.
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a team to monitor ahead of the trade deadline. They shocked everyone when they traded Mikko Rantanen in a move that ultimately set them up for better long-term success. They could make another shocking move, and Palmieri fits that bill.
This team is one of the best in the Western Conference and is sure to make the playoffs but even with the Rantanen trade, they still need top-six scoring. Palmieri can slide into a second-line wing role and help unlock Casey Middlestadt’s play or allow Martin Necas to center the second line with a scoring presence on his side.
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers moved on from Dylan Holloway, Ryan McLeod, Philip Broberg, and Cody Ceci this offseason and are still dealing with the fallout. They don’t have depth and specifically, they lack scoring depth. Palmieri checks off both boxes. While Nelson is a better player, this team doesn’t have any issues at center, and he doesn’t fill the same void as Palmieri.
The Oilers don’t have a lot of assets to move to land a player like Palmieri, who at the very least will require either a top prospect or an NHL-ready player. However, with this team in the Cup conversation but staring at some glaring needs, they can make it work with the Islanders. They might have to move on from a few extra draft selections, but it would be worth it if it gets the Oilers over the hump.
Other Trade Destinations For Palmieri
The Los Angeles Kings are having a great season, but they once again look like they are on a collision course to face the Oilers in the first round and lose to them as well. What could help them defeat a team that has their number? More scoring. With an offense that has struggled this season, a move for Palmieri could make the difference in a short series.
The Ottawa Senators are having a great season, but their offense has struggled. They need scoring and unless Josh Norris and Shane Pinto can consistently contribute, they’ll look elsewhere for help. Sure, this team doesn’t want to go all in and move future assets but adding Palmieri can secure their spot in the playoffs and make them a tough out for any team in the Eastern Conference.
Is there a team you see making a trade for Palmieri at the deadline? Let us know in the comments section below!
