New Jersey has avoided arbitration with Kyle Palmieri as the team announced Thursday that they have re-signed him to a five year, $23.25MM contract.
Last season, Palmieri was the Devils’ top point getter, collecting 30 goals and 27 assists while playing in all 82 games for the first time in his career. He also averaged a career high 17:48 of ice time per game. His 57 points nearly doubled his previous career high of 31, set with Anaheim back in 2013-14.
New Jersey acquired Palmieri from the Ducks back at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for a 2nd round pick in 2015 and a 3rd rounder in 2016, a move that looks like a bargain after how he performed last season.
In his career, Palmieri has played in 280 NHL games between Anaheim and New Jersey, scoring 73 goals and 73 assists while averaging 14:01 per night. He projects to remain the top line right winger for the Devils, potentially alongside Adam Henrique and the recently-acquired Taylor Hall.
The breakdown of the deal in terms of salary is as follows:
2016-17: $4.5MM
2017-18: $4.5MM
2018-19: $5MM
2019-20: $5MM
2020-21: $4.25MM
The Devils have a pair of remaining restricted free agents to sign this offseason, forward Reid Boucher and defenseman Reece Scarlett. They have just over $13MM in remaining cap space according to Cap Friendly.