NHL Rumors: Kyle Palmieri anticipates new deal with Devils

Dec 15, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Kyle Palmieri (21) and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (55) go after the puck during the third period at First Niagara Center. New Jersey beats Buffalo 2 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Restricted free agent Kyle Palmieri expects to sign a new deal with the Devils sooner rather than later.

The New Jersey Devils are a fast rising team as they look to continue their rebuild this offseason. One of the reasons that they were able to stay competitive through the end of January was the breakout season by Kyle Palmieri. After trading for Palmieri, the forward rewarded the Devils with his first 30 goal season and a career high 57 points, nearly doubling his previous career high of 31 points. Now the Devils must pay Palmieri, who is a restricted free agent. He is open to a long-term deal.

“Obviously it depends, but I look at it as now I’m 25 and I look at my last contract as more of a bridge deal,” Palmieri said, via North Jersey. “It’s up to [general manager Ray Shero] and the Devils and kind of throwing around the years for both sides and figuring out something that works.”

A long-term deal makes sense for both sides. The Devils desperately need scoring, so they should be interested in keeping one of the 28 players in the league who managed to score at least 30 goals. At 25-years-old, Palmieri is a relatively safe bet with very little risk compared to other players.

Palmieri seems very happy in New Jersey and would be cashing in after a career season. Expect the two sides to get something worked out, even if it’s just a short-term deal.

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