Islanders acquire forwards Kyle Palmieri, Travis Zajac in trade with Devils
Kyle Palmieri #21 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Anaheim Ducks at the Prudential Center on December 18, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. Credit: Getty Images/Bruce Bennett
The Islanders acquired the scoring wing they’ve sought since captain Anders Lee suffered a season-ending knee injury. And they also wound up adding depth at center, giving coach Barry Trotz strong flexibility among his top-nine forwards.
Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello on Wednesday once again reached out to his former organization, the Devils, to acquire right wing Kyle Palmieri, originally from Smithtown, and center Travis Zajac for a first-round pick this year, a conditional fourth-round pick in 2022 and minor-leaguers A.J. Greer and Mason Jobst. The Devils are retaining 50% of both Palmieri and Zajac’s salaries.
Both are impending unrestricted free agents, fulfilling Lamoriello’s desire to avoid long-term contract commitments. Both will participate in Thursday’s morning skate and could play Thursday night against the Flyers at Nassau Coliseum.
"What roles they will play, we’ll leave that up to Barry," said Lamoriello, who acquired former Devils captain Andy Greene prior to last season’s trade deadline. "But I’m excited to have them a part of our organization right now. I know what they bring on the ice. I also know who they are as people and how well they’ll fit in the locker room here. Chemistry is extremely important to me."
The Islanders are tied with the Capitals atop the East Division and have won eight of 12 since Lee tore his right anterior cruciate ligament against the Devils on March 11.
But once Lee was placed on long-term injured reserve, allowing the Islanders to use his $7 million salary cap hit to spend above the $81.5 million cap ceiling, Lamoriello was looking to bolster his roster.
The Islanders still have approximately $3 million in cap space and Lamoriello did not rule out making another move before Monday’s trade deadline. Depth on defense may be next.
Zajac is in the final season of an eight-year, $46 million deal and waived his no-trade clause. That was something he was reportedly unwilling to do last season when Lamoriello inquired about his availability.
"I’m extremely excited for this opportunity," Zajac said. "At the point of my career where I’m at, I want a chance to win. I believe this is a team that has all the aspects of a winning hockey team."
Zajac, 35, was the longest-tenured Devil, having broken into the NHL in 2006. He has seven goals and 11 assists this season and 202 goals and 348 assists in 1,024 career games.
Palmieri, 30, is in the final season of a five-year, $23.25 million contract and has eight goals and nine assists in 34 games. He scored at least 24 goals in each of his five full seasons with the Devils.
"When I heard the Islanders could be an option, I couldn’t have been more excited," Palmieri said. "When I got that call tonight, it was really difficult to contain the excitement to join this team. The opportunity to go and be part of a team that has a chance to do something special is something every player wants."
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
