The New York Islanders have acquired forwards Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a 2021 first-round draft pick, Arthur Staple reported on Wednesday.

The Devils also acquired forwards A.J Greer, Mason Jobst and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2022 draft, according to an Islanders press release. The Devils retained 50% of both Palmieri and Zajac’s salaries.

Palmieri, 30, was the subject of trade rumors as the Devils currently sit outside of a playoff spot. He is in the final year of a five-year contract that paid him $4.65 million annually.

Zajac, 35, was an alternate captain for the Devils, the only NHL team he has ever played for. He is in his 15th season in the league and the final year of an eight-year, $46 million contract.

Additionally, general manager Lou Lamoriello, who worked for the Devils and drafted Zajac, has now traded his first-round pick in two consecutive years. Lamoriello traded a first, second and third round pick to Ottawa last year for J-G Pageau. It is also the second year in a row that the Islanders and Devils made a deadline trade. The Isles acquired Andy Greene last season.

Palmieri, who was born in Smithtown, has seven goals and nine assists for 17 points this season and a minus two rating. Only one of those goals came on the power-play. However, he scored at least 24 goals in each of his five previous seasons in New Jersey. He was playing in a top-six role in New Jersey, likely where he will play in New York as well.

Zajac was heating up just before this deal, with three points in his last two games. He scored two goals against the Capitals on April 4 and has 18 points this season. He’s also having a solid defensive season, with an even rating after four consecutive minus seasons. He is on pace for 30 points by the end of the season.

The Islanders were able to free up cap space to make this trade after Anders Lee was injured against the Devils in March. Lou Lamoriello previously said he was looking to trade for a “scoring winger,” and the Islanders are betting on Kyle Palmieri to fill that role. The addition of Zajac adds scoring depth, and it seems like he will play in the middle-six.

As for the conditional fourth-round pick, if the Islanders advance to the 2020-21 Stanley Cup Final, the fourth round pick upgrades to a third in 2022 or 2023. The Islanders have the option of which pick they will transfer, according to capfriendly.com.

The Islanders play the Flyers on Thursday at 7 p.m. It is unknown if either player will suit up for that game.

Ben Baruch

Born and raised on Long Island. Isles fan since 2009. Studying journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park.