Islanders Acquire Smithtown-Born Kyle Palmieri In Deal W/ Devils

SMITHTOWN, NY — The New York Islanders made a trade deadline splash when they acquired Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac from the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night.

Palmieri, 30, was born in Smithtown. When he plays his first game with the Isles, it will mark the team's first Long Island native since Chris Ferraro suited up in the 1999-2000 season, according to the Nassaumen Hockey Podcast. Palmieri was raised in Montvale, New Jersey.

"When I got that call [Wednesday], it was really difficult to contain the excitement to join this team and this organization," Palmieri said in a statement released by the Islanders. "I think the opportunity to go and be a part of a team that has a chance to do something special is something every player wants and that's all you can ask for. I'm just really looking forward to this opportunity."

The Islanders sent depth forwards A.J. Greer and Mason Jobst, as well as their first-round pick in the 2021 NHL draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, to the Devils, according to ESPN. New Jersey retained 50 percent of the salaries for both Palmieri and Zajac.

Palmieri began his NHL career in 2010-11 with the Anaheim Ducks before he joined the Devils for the 2015-16 season. He has 183 goals and 355 points in 595 career games. Palmieri has notched 30 goals once in his career before and has consistently potted roughly 25 since.

Zajac, 35, has 202 goals and 550 career points across 1,024 NHL games. He had spent his entire NHL career with the Devils since he debuted in the 2006-07 season.

The Islanders sit tied for first in their division with the Washington Capitals as of Thursday morning. The team went to the Eastern Conference Finals last postseason before being bounced by the eventual Stanley Cup-winning Tampa Bay Lightning.