Islanders Kyle Palmieri not getting caught up in familiar trade rumors

This isn’t the first time Kyle Palmieri’s name has been thrown around going into the NHL trade deadline.If the Islanders move the winger, it won’t be the first time he’s been dealt, either.But there is one difference between now and any other time Palmieri’s had to worry about being traded.“Knowing [Islanders general manager] Lou [Lamoriello] as well as we do, I don’t think there’s a ton of rumors out there other than just being rumors,” Palmieri said before the Isles faced Columbus on Monday.

“For me, I’m just focused on the guys on this team and whatever happens, happens.That’s really just out of my control.”Lamoriello, who keeps an airtight seal on information, said earlier this month that he was not focused on being a seller at the trade deadline, and he thought the Islanders could still make a run at a playoff spot.But since then, his club has dropped to nine points out of the second wild-card spot prior to Monday’s game.

While it’s still technically possible to get into the postseason, that looks far less likely than it did just two weeks ago.With Palmieri (along with Brock Nelson) entering unrestricted free agency this summer, the Islanders face the possibility of seeing him leave the club for nothing.Thus, the rumors.Palmieri holds a 16-team no-trade list but, as a proven goalscorer, would likely get the Islanders at least a second or third-round pick from a playoff team as a rental.“It’s not easy [to deal with],” Palmieri said.

“Obviously, you listen, turn on the TV, whatever it is.Those rumors circulate.

But I think realistically, you have to stay focused.”That is easier knowing the faith Lamoriello has in the Islanders to get things turned around.“We have conversations, but it’s usually not about that.It’s about our team, whether it’s something, me personally, I could be doing better or as a group we need to find a way to fix and be better at,” Palmieri said.

“Those are most of the conversations.If...