The New Jersey Devils are expected to have a busy off-season. Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald confirmed that changes are on the way, and it is understandable after how the post-season went for the Metropolitan Division club.
One clear area that the Devils should aim to improve is their forward group. It is quite apparent that they need more secondary offensive production, and one player who could give them just that is old friend Kyle Palmieri.
Palmieri, 34, had another good season with the New York Islanders in 2024-25. In 82 games with the Metropolitan Division club, the pending unrestricted free agent posted 24 goals and 48 points. This was after he had 30 goals and 54 points in 82 contests with the Islanders during the 2023-24. With numbers like these, he can still produce solid offense.
If the Devils signed Palmieri, he would give their top nine more production, which is undoubtedly a significant need. In addition, he would offer them another clear option for their power play.
Palmieri certainly had a successful six-year stint with the Devils, too. In 397 games with New Jersey from 2015-16 to 2020-21, he recorded 140 goals, 266 points, and 556 hits. He was also an All-Star during the 2018-19 season while with the Devils.
Given his past success with New Jersey and his ability to still create offense, he could be a nice player for the Devils to bring back on a short-term deal. It will be intriguing to see if the Devils end up pursuing him if he hits the free-agent market on July 1 from here.
Recent Devils News
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Former Devils Star Has Massive Playoff Game
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