The 3 worst remaining contracts on the NY Islanders roster

2) Kyle Palmieri (2 years, $5 million AAV)

Similarly to Pageau, the Islanders traded away a first-round pick to acquire Kyle Palmieri in a trade deadline move. Following a season-ending injury to Anders Lee, the Isles got Palmieri and Travis Zajac from the New Jersey Devils. While he scored just two goals in 17 games after being acquired, Palmieri helped the Islanders get one series win away from reaching the Stanley Cup Finals, scoring 7 goals in the 2021 playoff run.

His performance in the playoffs led to the Isles leaving Jordan Eberle unprotected in the Seattle expansion draft and electing to sign Palmieri to a 4-year extension to stay on Long Island. To date, streaky play and injuries have prevented him from maintaining the form he displayed in Anaheim and New Jersey. In his time with the Devils, the 32-year-old logged 5 consecutive 20-goal seasons, including a 30-goal campaign in 2015-16. As an Islander, just 31 combined goals in two full seasons.

Palmieri was one of the team's better forwards toward the end of the season, playing on a line with Brock Nelson and Pierre Engvall. After Engvall's seven-year extension, that line is projected to start the season together to see if the chemistry can carry over.

If another off-season move becomes an option and cap space is needed, it's plausible that teams would value Palmieri's scoring ability and shorter contract over Pageau's in a deal. It's more likely he remains with the team and the Isles will be hoping he can remain healthy enough to play a full season and return to a 30-goal scorer.