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At 34 years old, Kyle Palmieri is closer to the end of his NHL career than the beginning. But the Smithtown native is showing no signs of slowing down.
Palmieri enters his 17th season Thursday night when the Islanders open on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The veteran forward is coming off back-to-back 82-game seasons — the first time in his career he’s played every game in consecutive years.
“I feel good and I feel healthy,” said Palmieri, who tallied 24 goals and 24 assists for 48 points last season. “That’s a big part of it. I’m just excited to get going here.”
Finding the fountain of youth
Since being acquired from the Devils in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, Palmieri has been a steady contributor for the Islanders, including their run to the Stanley Cup Semifinals that year. Before the last two seasons, he had only played 82 games once — in 2015-16 with New Jersey.
Palmieri credits his durability to preparation.
“Just taking care of myself,” said Palmieri. “I attribute a lot of it to my teammates and guys I’m playing with on my line on a daily basis. As much as I can take care of myself off the ice, it’s about preparing yourself and being ready to go every day.”
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy praised the veteran’s approach.
“It’s nice to see a guy taking care of himself like this,” Roy said. “I remember when I was a rookie with the Canadiens, Larry Robinson said take care of your body and your body will take care of you, and I think that’s exactly what Palmsy does.”
A new era for Palmieri and the Isles
The Islanders enter the 2024-25 season with a new look and new leadership. From winning the NHL Draft Lottery and hiring Mathieu Darche as general manager to drafting defenseman Matthew Schaefer first overall and adding key veterans like Jonathan Drouin, Emil Heineman and Maxim Shabanov, there’s optimism in the room.
“A lot of excitement,” said Palmieri. “It was a long summer and an exciting summer with some of the additions here. We had a good camp and we’re excited to drop the puck on the season. It’s a bit of a spark for us in this room and for the fans.”
The Islanders missed the playoffs last year, a feeling Palmieri said still lingers.
“It didn’t finish the way we wanted to,” he said. “We had an exciting offseason and a lot of changes and new faces. It was a good camp and we’re just ready to go.”
Palmieri has scored 257 goals in his NHL career, including 87 since joining the Islanders and 54 over the last two seasons. Roy called him “probably our most natural goal scorer.”
Palmieri will start the season on the Islanders’ top line with Anders Lee and Mat Barzal.
Facing an old foe
The season opener adds extra spice with the opponent — the Penguins. It will also mark the NHL debut of 18-year-old Schaefer, who has already impressed Palmieri.
“It’s incredible,” Palmieri said. “He carries himself so well and he’s got such a mature personality that the second you got on the ice with him you saw that carries over. He earned it.”
Palmieri will also continue to share alternate captain duties with Ryan Pulock this season.
“It’s their home opener,” Palmieri said of Thursday night in Pittsburgh. “They’re going to be buzzing and we’re ready to rise to the challenge.”
If things go right this season, Palmieri should reach two major milestones: his 100th goal as an Islander and the 300th goal of his NHL career. But his focus remains on something bigger.
Palmieri is determined to help the Islanders return to the playoffs and chase the Stanley Cup.
Top photo credit: New York Islanders
