Kyle Palmieri

History

2008-09: Palmieri played for the USNTDP until being dismissed for a rules violation. He scored 15 goals with 15 assists in 33 games.

2009-10: Palmieri posted 9 goals, 8 assists, a minus-20, and 36 PIM in 33 games as a freshman for Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish finished a disappointing ninth after winning the CCHA regular and playoff titles the previous year. Palmieri played for the gold medal-winning USA squad at the 2010 U20 World Junior tournament and posted 1 goal with 8 assists in 7 games. Palmieri signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Anaheim in August 2010 – foregoing his last three years of college hockey.

2010-11: Palmieri made his NHL debut with Anaheim, playing in ten November games and one playoff contest for the Ducks; and was the leading scorer for AHL Syracuse. Palmieri scored his only NHL goal in the first game of his career and finished -1 for the Ducks, averaging just under nine minutes of ice time per game. He had no points or penalties in ten minutes of ice time in his only playoff appearance. Palmieri scored a team-leading 29 goals with 22 assists and was -2 with 56 PMs in 62 games for Syracuse as the Crunch missed the AHL playoffs.

2011-12: Palmieri appeared in 18 games with the Ducks during four separate call-ups and represented the USA in the 2012 IIHF World Championship. He spent most of the year with Anaheim AHL affiliate Syracuse. Palmieri scored 4 goals with 3 assists and was plus-three with six penalty minutes; averaging 11:31 of ice time for the Ducks. He played in seven games for the seventh-place USA squad at the World Championship, scoring 2 goals with 2 assists and finishing plus-two with 8 penalty minutes. Palmieri was the third-leading scorer for the Crunch despite skating in only 51 games, scoring 33 goals and 25 assists, and was plus-10 with 53 penalty minutes. Syracuse finished fourth in the East Division. Palmieri had 1 goal, a power play goal,  and had 1 assist but finished minus-four in the four-game playoff series with Saint John's.

Talent Analysis

Palmieri has gradually developed into one of the more dangerous scorers in the AHL. His stretch run in 2010-2011 cemented him as a player to watch in the Ducks organization as he has risen on the organization’s radar. He has above average speed, the ability to make plays in traffic, a quick release and a solid motor. As his confidence has increased and the situation has grown more stable around him, his total game has flourished.

Future

With quick strides, active legs, sound hockey sense an accurate shot, Palmieri definitely projects as a scorer. He could, however, stick as a bottom-six player with a bit of scoring touch as he has no major deficiencies in his game that would prevent him from playing in an energy or checking role.