NY Islanders winger Kyle Palmieri confident in chemistry with Lee and Barzal

As the New York Islanders prepare to open the 2025-26 season Thursday night in Pittsburgh, Kyle Palmieri says the team is ready to turn a strong training camp into results that count.

“Really excited,” Palmieri said. “I think it’s a culmination of that whole summer and the offseason we had. We had a really good camp, everyone’s excited to go, and we’re ready to do it tomorrow night.”

Palmieri has been skating alongside Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee throughout camp — a combination of speed, skill, and strength that gives the Islanders a balanced top line. “I think we’re pretty familiar with each other,” Palmieri said. “We’ve played together in different spots over the years — power play, in-game shifts — so we’re comfortable. We complement each other’s games pretty well. Now it’s about doing it for real.”

With Barzal shifting back to center, Palmieri said the transition has been seamless. “He’s the guy we want with the puck on his stick,” he explained. “Sometimes you’ve got to play defense to do that — the quicker and better you do it, the more it’s going to result in the puck being on his stick. We just have to communicate well as a line and make sure we’re in good spots.”

Palmieri, one of the team’s veterans and most consistent wingers, said he’s excited to see the energy of the Islanders’ youth movement, including Matthew Schaefer and Max Shabanov, who are set to make their NHL debuts.

“The biggest thing is enjoy it,” Palmieri said. “It’s your first game, and there’s a lot of excitement. For us, it’s fun to watch those guys enjoy the moment. There’s a lot of enjoyment for the rest of us, too, seeing them do it.”

The 34-year-old said whether the opener is at home or on the road, the feeling is the same. “It just kind of feels like we’re shifting into the regular season now,” Palmieri said. “Home or away, it doesn’t matter — it’s your first game of the season.”