Islanders: Three lineups assuming Kyle Palmieri acquired by trade

The trade deadline is over a week away, with the New Jersey Devils keeping Kyle Palmieri off the ice for precautionary reasons, here are a few New York Islanders lineups if they land the winger.

At this point, it feels inevitable that the New York Islanders will trade for New Jersey Devils winger Kyle Palmieri. The Devils winger was kept off the ice for precautionary measures on Saturday and all eyes turned towards the Islanders.

No trade has been worked out just yet, but, again, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before Palmieri is traded. So, with that in mind, I thought I’d look at a few lineup choices if the Islanders land the veteran winger.

On the Vet Line

Beauvillier-Barzal-Eberle
Bailey-Nelson-Palmieri
Komarov/Dal Colle-Pageau-Wahlstrom
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Adding Palmieri restores some balance across the top six. Leo Komarov is taken off Mathew Barzal‘s line and placed on Pageau’s line (until Dal Colle returns). It’s the best spot of Leo who’s done about as well as we’d expect from him on the top line.

The trio of Beau-Barzal-Eberle has been excellent in limited ice-time this season. With the way Anthony Beauvillier and Mathew Barzal have been playing of late (separately) why not group together the two hottest hands on the team?

With the right-handed Palmieri, Bailey can move over to a more natural left-wing spot on Nelson’s line. The three veterans should prove to be an effective two-way line with some real punch having two 20+ goal scorers together in Nelson and Palmieri.

The bottom six stays pretty much intact. The only change is Leo taking Ross Johnston‘s spot on Pageau’s line.