Advertisement

Kyle Palmieri hangs in balance, remains a Duck

Kyle Palmieri is still a Duck.
(Matt York / Associated Press)
Share

The fortune of Kyle Palmieri teetered before the noon hour Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, he practiced with the Ducks’ first line, which Wednesday night will include stars Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf.

But he was also believed to be a leading topic of trade talks as the Ducks conversed with the Vancouver Canucks about center Ryan Kesler and were also believed to be positioned to acquire either Buffalo forward Matt Moulson or New York Islanders wing Thomas Vanek.

“I haven’t received word either way, so I’m just focused on tonight’s game, going in with a
positive mindset,” Palmieri said more than an hour before the deadline.

“Whatever happens, happens. It’s out of my control. It’s my first trade deadline where my name’s been mentioned like this. It’s weird, but even worrying about it is not going to change anything. I want to play here, so I’m getting prepared like it’s any other day.”

Advertisement

As the minutes ticked away, Moulson went to the Minnesota Wild, Vanek was dealt to the Montreal Canadiens and the Canucks apparently got antsy about giving a division rival a top player, and kept Kesler.

So Palmieri, with nine goals and 14 assists, was taken off the market and off the rotation of
being a healthy scratch after not dressing in six games since Dec. 9.

The Ducks, after not trading on deadline day, were said to have been content with the idea
of giving 23-year-olds Palmieri and Jakob Silfverberg more playing time afforded by Tuesday’s trade of first-line wing Dustin Penner to the Washington Capitals.

“I’m thrilled to get that opportunity,” Palmieri said. “Being in and out of the lineup wears on you, you get sick of being in the press box, watching your teammates play.

“I want to be in there, have a lot of energy and bring to that line whatever they want. I want to be an impact player on this team. The way I’ve been in and out of the lineup, I haven’t been happy.”

ALSO:

Ducks can’t find right price or player on deadline day

Advertisement

Watch Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s new ‘Airplane-inspired ad

Dustin Penner asks President Obama if he can stay at the White House

Lance.pugmire@latimes.comTwitter: @latimespugmire

Advertisement