Islanders Milestone Watch: Kyle Palmieri

What can a healthy Kyle Palmieri accomplish in 2023-24?

Although Kyle Palmieri has been a member of the New York Islanders since coming aboard in April of 2021, injuries have made it difficult for him to live up to his true potential.

However, after battling back-to-back head injuries in the first half of the 2022-23 season, the Smithtown native (Grew up in New Jersey) played to the level general manager Lou Lamoriello and management expected. 

After just five goals and three assists through 20 games this past season, Palmieri returned to the lineup on a mission.

After returning to the lineup for good on Jan. 23, Palmieri posted 10 goals and 14 assists in the final 34 games of the season, alongside Brock Nelson and eventually Pierre Engvall.

With 16 goals and 17 assists in 55 games, Palmieri's 33 points matched his totals from 2021-22, where he played in 13 more games.

While the Islanders have many X-factors heading into the 2023-24 season, Palmieri is certainly toward the top. 

READ MORE: What Islanders Need Most From Kyle Palmieri

If Palmieri can continue where he left off -- and, more importantly, stay healthy -- he has some milestones within reach.

Up first is the 800-game milestone, as after 198 with the Anaheim Ducks, 397 with the New Jersey Devils, and 141 with New York, Palmieri sits just 63 games away.

If he can play in at least 63 games this season, he will surpass the 200-game mark with the Islanders (59 away).

After 70 points over three years with New York, Palmieri should crack the 100-point mark with the club this season.

Averaging 33 points over the last two seasons, Palmieri sits 27 points away from 450 for his career. 

Over his 13-year career, Palmieri has recorded 10 or more points against 25 of 32 teams, with a career-high 23 points against the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers.

When 2023-24 is all said and done, Palmieri will likely have a new career-high against an opponent. 

Fun fact: Palmieri has scored against all 32 teams in the NHL

Palmieri enters this new campaign with 10,850.8 total minutes played in the NHL and would need about 143 minutes to reach 11,000 for his career.

He played 940.4 minutes over 55 games in 2022-23, so he should BLOW past that mark. 

There have been 41 forwards to come out of Notre Dame. Palmieri has scored the second-most goals ever for a Fighting Irish alumni, 24 behind teammate Anders Lee.

Depending on how many games Ian Cole plays in 2023-24 for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Palmieri could finish the year with the most games played by a Notre Dame alum, trailing Cole by 12.

So, the question is, what can a healthy Palmieri accomplish in 2023-24?

Join Stefen Rosner's New York Islanders page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can listen to Rosner talk Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York with co-host Sean Cuthbert Sunday nights at 8 PM ET during the season.