Palmieri leads the Islanders in goals, assists, and points this season.

New York Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri will be a sought-after piece this trade deadline season. 

The pending unrestricted free agent, who is in the final season of a four-year deal worth $20 million, has a team-leading 10 goals, is tied for the team lead with nine assists, and leads with 19 points in 22 games.

The 33-year-old has built on an impressive 2023-24 season, where he reached the 30-goal mark for the second time in his NHL career, adding 24 assists for 54 points, the second-highest mark of his career. 

A dominant run over the last 104 games, not including a postseason career with 22 goals and 17 assists for 39 points in 82 playoff games, could bring the Islanders back a first-round pick if they elect to sell.

The Islanders, who currently sit two points out of a wild-card spot, aren't likely to sell if they are within striking distance come March 7th's deadline, but general managers will certainly be doing their best to pry No. 21 off the island. 

It was only a few years ago when it seemed that Kyle Palmeiri's best years were behind him. 

Since coming to the Islanders from the New Jersey Devils ahead of the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline, injuries and inconsistencies had been his story, but he rewrote the script in 2023-24.

And since Patrick Roy took over behind the Islanders bench, Palmieri has been clear-cut as the most consistent player on the roster, scoring 29 goals in 59 games. 

"I would say this since I've been here, he's been outstanding, scoring a lot of goals," Roy said. "I mean, he's around the net, and that line scores a lot of goals for us, which is a good thing."

It's not out of the realm of possibility that Palmieri inks an extension with the Islanders, which is likely a team-friendly deal. 

But, if the Islanders do decide to go in another direction and go for a retool, depending on where they stand in early March, Palmieri, along with Brock Nelson, will be two assets with tremendous value despite their ages.