November 29, 2025 | 8:06pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

WILL ISLANDERS TRY TO REPLACE INJURED PALMIERI?

Kyle Palmieri, forward

The New York Islanders were dished a tough blow Saturday morning when it was revealed that veteran winger Kyle Palmieri will miss the next six-to-eight months to repair an ACL tear in his left knee.

Palmieri, who is in the first year of a two-year, $9.5 million contract, was injured in the second period of Friday’s 4-3 shootout loss to Philadelphia after falling awkwardly against the boards in a collision with Flyers defenceman Jamie Drysdale.

Currently ninth in the Eastern Conference with a 13-9-3 record, the Isles are tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers in points (29) for the final two wildcards seeds in the East.

With just three regulation losses in their last 10 games, the Islanders have been gaining ground on playoff positioning and losing Palmieri is certainly both unexpected and unfortunate.

If the Islanders maintain their pace and remain in the playoff hunt, or secure a playoff spot, later in the season, GM Mathieu Darche could try to add up front and replace Palmieri’s place in the lineup if they put him on season-ending LTIR, which would prevent him from playing in the playoffs if he rehabs ahead of schedule.

Palmieri’s $4.75 million salary cap hit could be filled by another offensive threat, and with next season’s salary cap projected to hit $104 million, at least, adding a player signed beyond this season may not be out of the equation.

In 25 games with the Islanders this season, Palmieri registered six goals and 12 assists for 18 points.