Where Has Kyle Palmieri Been This Season?
With just one goal in 15 games played this season, Kyle Palmieri is underachieving. The former 30-goal scorer is nowhere to be found. So, where has Palmieri’s production gone this year?
Background
Last season, the Islanders acquired Palmieri at the Trade Deadline from the New Jersey Devils after Anders Lee was injured earlier in the year. Palmieri was seen as the perfect depth piece for the Islanders and the Smithtown native was a natural fit.
Nonetheless, Palmieri struggled when he first got to Long Island. To end the regular season, Palmieri only recorded four points in 17 games with his new team.
However, Palmieri stepped up massively for the Islanders come playoff time. The 30-year-old tallied seven goals and nine points in 19 games. He scored big goals in big moments and battled hard every night. He was crucial to the team’s success.
This past offseason, Palmieri signed a four-year, $20 million deal to remain with the Islanders.
This Season
Now, the only thing that matters is his production in the 2021-22 season. And, unfortunately, he has not been producing.
Palmieri scored more than 25 goals in four of his 13 NHL seasons and scored more than 20 goals in five. The fact that Palmieri has only one goal this season is unacceptable. Especially with all the Islanders’ players out with COVID-19, Palmieri needs to step up.
Palmieri signed with the Islanders to win a Stanley Cup. However, it is not a free trip to the playoffs each year. That is earned by each player producing each shift and doing their job. Palmieri needs to do his job better.
Ethan is an Economics Major at the University of Florida looking to pursue a double major in Sports Management with a minor in political science.
