Blockbuster: Canucks Land Elite Forward Kyle Palmieri in Major Pre-Deadline Trade

With just 22 days remaining until the trade deadline and the Vancouver Canucks seeking help at center, a new name has emerged for GM Patrik Allvin to consider.

In recent weeks, the Canucks have been linked to several centers on the trade market as they continue their search after trading J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers.

One of the latest names mentioned is New York Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri. According to The Fourth Period’s updated trade watch list, the Canucks are interested in Palmieri, who is in the final year of his contract and set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Palmieri has a 16-team no-trade list, meaning he will have some control over where he ends up before the March 7 deadline. In addition to Vancouver, the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings—teams the Canucks are competing with in the Western Conference—are also linked to the 34-year-old.

If the Islanders fall out of playoff contention, both Palmieri and his teammate Brock Nelson could be on the move as the team looks to acquire draft picks and young assets. Palmieri, from Smithtown, N.Y., has played 55 games this season, tallying 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists) and 14 penalty minutes, though he is currently a minus-six.

As of the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off break, the Islanders are just four points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot, but they face a tough schedule ahead. Four of their six games before the deadline are against playoff teams (Stars, Rangers twice, Jets), along with a matchup against the Bruins, who they are chasing in the standings.

Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello will need to make some key decisions by the end of February. Whether Patrik Allvin makes an offer for Palmieri or even Nelson remains to be seen.