Kyle Palmieri, Devils Agree to New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The New Jersey Devils and winger Kyle Palmieri agreed to a five-year, $23.25 million extension Thursday, according to the team.

The breakdown of the deal is as follows:

• 2016-17: $4,500,000
• 2017-18: $4,500,000
• 2018-19: $5,000,000
• 2019-20: $5,000,000
• 2020-21: $4,250,000

Palmieri, 25, notched a career-high 57 points in the 2015-16 season (30 goals, 27 assists), leading the Devils in points and tying Adam Henrique for the team lead in goals.  

The agreement comes just two days after Palmieri, who was a restricted free agent, filed for arbitration. But the Devils always seemed keen on avoiding that process and locking him up for the long term.

"Kyle's always been at the top of the list of priorities, and I think that's a natural evolution of trying to do a contract with a Group II free agent," Devils general manager Ray Shero told Chris Ryan of NJ.com on Friday. "He has (arbitration) rights and so forth. I really looking forward to getting him under contract and I think we're moving in the right direction."

Ultimately, it was a good deal for both sides, as Andrew Gross of the North Jersey Record noted:

Palmieri, whom the Devils acquired from the Anaheim Ducks over the summer in a trade for draft picks, was one of the lone bright spots for a Devils team that struggled in 2015-16. His 30-goal season hinted at big things to come as he heads into his prime. 

While the Devils won't expect Palmieri to take another leap forward in production like he did last season—he had never scored more than 14 goals with the Ducks—he'll be expected to remain a potent goal scorer and producer for the team and a key piece of what the organization hopes will be a revitalization and postseason berth next season.

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