Islanders’ Kyle Palmieri out 6-8 months following ACL tear

The New York Islanders will be without winger Kyle Palmieri for the next 6-8 months as he recovers from an ACL tear in his left knee, the club announced Saturday afternoon.

Palmieri, 34, sustained the injury after colliding awkwardly with Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale midway through the second period of Friday’s game at UBS Arena. He remained down on the ice in obvious pain for multiple moments before heading off under his own power.

While slowly making his way back to the Islanders’ bench, Palmieri stole the puck from Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae and started a play that led to Emil Heineman scoring a highlight-reel goal. Palmieri recorded the secondary assist on the play, but was already partway down the tunnel to the Islanders’ dressing room by the time Heineman scored.

Through 25 games with the Islanders to start the 2025-26 regular season, Palmieri recorded six goals and 18 points while averaging 18:53 of ice time per night. The Smithtown, New York product is under contract through the end of the 2026-27 season at a $4.75 million cap hit.

Palmieri is in his sixth season on Long Island since being acquired from the New Jersey Devils in April 2021. The 5’11” right wing has collected 276 goals and 545 points in 925 career NHL games since being drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round (No. 29 overall) back in 2009; he’s added 18 goals and 32 points in 68 career playoff contests.

The Islanders fell to the Flyers in a shootout by a 4-3 final score on Friday afternoon. Led by the incredible play of 2025 first-overall draft pick Matthew Schaefer, the Islanders currently sit in a tie for an Eastern Conference wild card playoff spot with a 13-9-3 record and 29 points through 25 games this season.

Palmieri will undergo surgery at a future date to address his ACL injury and will not be in the lineup on Sunday afternoon when the Islanders return to action against the Washington Capitals.