Kyle Palmieri About Two Weeks Away from Returning to Anaheim Ducks

Earlier today, Anaheim Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau told the media that winger Kyle Palmieri is approximately two weeks away from returning to the active roster. The 23 year old right winger has been nursing a high ankle sprain suffered while skating during the offseason.

Palmieri is coming off a 2013-2014 campaign where he scored a career-high 14 goals and 31 points in 71 games. He was selected by the Ducks in the 1st round in 2009 (26th overall). In four seasons with the Ducks, Palmieri has scored 29 goals and 60 points in 141 games. Palmieri is a fast, aggressive winger who loves to engage offensively and shoot often. He was expected to compete for one of the top-six wing positions on the Ducks with players such as Matt Beleskey, Jakob Silfverberg, Patrick Maroon, Devante Smith-Pelly, Emerson Etem, and Dany Heatley, but he suffered the injury and has been unable to play for Anaheim this season.

Palmieri signed a three year, $4.4 million bridge deal after the lockout-shortened 2012-2013 campaign. He has two years left on his current deal before entering restricted free agency after the 2015-2016 season (though he will have arbitration rights in the next round of negotiations). He should get an opportunity to assert himself on the roster, even though the Ducks’ current group of wingers have all been playing well thus far. One thing Palmieri has always been able to do, when given playing time, is put the puck in the net. He has produced well on the top-six in limited action, usually with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry on the top line, but his speed could be an interesting option on the second line with Ryan Kesler.

The return of Palmieri adds more team speed to the forward group. One of the Ducks’ strengths with their forward group is the diverse skillset the group brings. Players like Maroon and Smith-Pelly are heavy forecheckers and tough in the corners. Cogliano and Silfverberg are terrific defensively and are heavily relied on by Anaheim on the penalty kill. Cogliano also adds tremendous speed to the lineup, as does Etem. Palmieri has his strengths that he can add to the group, and his insertion into the lineup changes how certain lines can be expected to perform.

Jason Byun is the editor for Pucks of a Feather. He can be found on Twitter. For more Anaheim Ducks coverage, follow Pucks of a Feather on Twitter or like us on Facebook.