Palmieri evolves into prolific goal-scorer for Devils

NEWARK, N.J. --Kyle Palmieri said there's nothing fancy to the way he's programmed to score goals.

A little patience and persistence went a long way, particularly in an expanded role the past four seasons with the New Jersey Devils after the forward was acquired in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks on June 26, 2015.
"I've kind of always played a little bit simpler of a game as far as goal-scorers go," Palmieri said. "It wasn't always the prettiest goal, but I found ways to find the back of the net and score. At an early age, I never remember having a ton of 1-on-1 skill."
Palmieri never quit working on his tremendous shot or creating havoc in front of the net, two parts of his game that have transformed him into a prolific scorer in nine NHL seasons.

"One thing I know about [Palmieri] is that he has a big shot and, in this league, if you can shoot the puck well, you're going to be able to generate a lot of offense," Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban said. "Shooting a puck doesn't necessarily mean scoring goals, either. A lot of times it creates rebounds and havoc in front of the net, and he's a guy who is very mobile and can generate offense in many ways."
Palmieri (5-foot-11, 185 pounds), 27, leads the Devils in goals (eight), points (13), and power-play goals (four). He has at least one point in seven of eight games in what's been the best start of his NHL career.
His one-timer from either face-off circle has become a lethal asset. Palmieri is 25th in the NHL in goals (88) since 2015-16 (232 games).
"It took me a little while to adjust, coming from the college level, since defenders got sticks in the lane, so I adapted more of a pull-and-drag kind of shot as opposed to taking a little longer and loading up my stick (for a slap shot)," Palmieri said. "I think it's helped me not only to get around defender sticks and shin pads but force the goalie to move that slight amount since you're changing the angle a little. Goalies today are so athletic and big that there's not much net to shoot at if you allow them to get set.
"To me, you get comfortable shooting pucks by doing it in uncomfortable ways. The ability to shoot pucks that aren't in the right spot all the time is one of the things I work on most because, in-game, you're not going to get the puck in your sweet spot all the time."
Devils coach John Hynes believes his first-line right wing has only scratched the surface to the type of scorer he can become.

"He's more a complete player now than when I had him at [USA Hockey's National Team Development Program under-18 team]," said Hynes, who coached Palmieri at the USNTDP in 2007-08. "He was always competitive, had the hard shot, but now he's found ways to be a more difficult player to play against who can score and we rely on him in key situations.
"When he's playing his best, he's playing an extremely competitive game and that's why he's really grown as an NHL player."
Since joining the Devils, Palmieri has moved from a bottom-six role to a top-line role and been given a more prominent position on the power play. His 34 power-play goals and 71 power-play points rank first on the Devils over the past four seasons.
"I was never a tall guy and was still adding muscle, still figuring out a way to be successful when I played for [Hynes at the USNTDP]," Palmieri said. "I was quick and had speed but to be able to protect the puck and stay on my skates was something that kind of came along a little slower. I was a smaller guy and going up against bigger guys who had the leverage, so it took me a little while to figure out what I needed to do to make an impact and be an offensive threat.
"In my first couple of years in the American Hockey League and then with Anaheim, I had a lot of shots blocked, deflected, or tipped. I had to learn ways to get those shots off at the pro level because guys here have been blocking shots forever and they're exceptional at it."
Palmieri said that though it was difficult to crack a top-six role in his five seasons with the Ducks, he learned plenty from Hockey Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne, and Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry before his trade to the Devils.
"Perry scored 50 goals the year he won the Hart (2011); the net front is where he made his home," Palmieri said. "Teemu's ability to shield the puck and use his body to score was always impressive. The experience helped me gain a footing to figure out what I needed to do to be successful."
He's become a heart-and-soul player in the eyes of former New Jersey defenseman Ken Daneyko, now a color analyst for Devils games on MSG Network.

"When I watch [Palmieri], I see a combination of former teammates Stephane Richer and Claude Lemieux," Daneyko said. "Steph more for the shot. With Lemieux I see that grit, and ability to score those dirty goals. He's a meat-and-potatoes type of player who can score, and those guys are hard to find. He's relied on that lightning-quick shot and one-timer but having the ability to establish net-front position is key as well."
Hynes has said there's nothing cute about Palmieri's game, particularly when he drives the net.
"The net front is something I love; that area is a lot of fun," Palmieri said. "It's a lot of competing. It's not exactly the highest-skill area because you go in there, and you're bumping around with guys and goalies, but that's the fun part of hockey."
Palmieri averages 30.3 feet per shot on 26 attempts on goal this season, including 10 snap shots and eight wrist shots. He has taken four slap shots, an indication he does make a concerted effort to quickly steer his shot on goal, and is averaging 29.7 feet on 622 shots taken the past four seasons.
Palmieri is tied with Jamie Benn (Dallas Stars) and Patrick Eaves (Ducks) for 17th in the NHL in Goals Per 60 Minutes (1.30) among skaters having played at least 100 games since 2015-16. In his best statistical season with Anaheim in 2013-14, Palmieri had 31 points (14 goals, 17 assists) and averaged 11:57 in ice time. He's averaging 18:30 with the Devils this season and 17:32 over the past four.
"One of the things the Devils stressed when I got here was that I was going to get an opportunity," Palmieri said. "Up to that point I was averaging between 10-13 minutes a game and was looking for a chance to push myself into that next range of ice time and become an impact player who could play in all situations."