Kyle Palmieri Trade is Paying Off for Devils

The first trade Ray Shero orchestrated as the New Jersey Devils general manager set the tone for the type of season the team is enjoying.

During the June draft last year, Shero traded for Kyle Palmieri for picks in the second and third round with the Anaheim Ducks.

Shero spent two picks but the trade has already proved to be worth it. Palmieri has scored 20 goals, which leads the team.

This week Shero said the trade has worked fine. Palmieri will become a restricted free agent July 1 and Bob Murray the GM for the Ducks decided the winger would warrant a raise that would be difficult to fit into the Ducks salary structure.

Of course, GM Shero used knowledge of John Hynes the new coach for the Devils who coached Palmieri in the Under-18 national team in the U.S. during 2008.

Hynes this week said his winger was a strong competitor even back at age 17 and 18. He added that he coached against Palmieri in Syracuse in the AHL prior to the player reaching the NHL.

Palmieri turned 25 this past Monday and was thrilled to be traded back home. He is a Montville, New Jersey native and said on Thursday it was great to return home.

Palmieri also played for the youth hockey program of the Devils and now has returned to play with the parent club making a full circle he said.

New Jersey also has offered Palmieri something the Ducks could not and that is a permanent role in the top six. He auditioned occasionally with Corey Perry or Ryan Getzlaf in Anaheim but was largely all around the Ducks’ deep lineup.

He added that it was tough to steal a place in the Duck lineup when you have Teemu Selanne and Corey Perry in front of you.

Palmieri said Murray gave him a nice send off after the trade and said no hard feelings existed between he and his former club.

Palmieri is on track to score 32 goals this season, which shows how much he has made of his opportunity.

What this means is that he should enjoy a nice pay raise after this season. He earns $1.46 million now but since he will be a restricted free agent and have rights to salary arbitration the 25-year old is looking at a nice contract this summer.