Let's Meet: Jarod Palmer

Mikko Koivu - out. Devin Setoguchi - out. Guillaume Latendresse - out. Pierre-Marc Bouchard - Highly questionable. Casey Wellman - out.

What does a team do when four of the top six are completely out, another is likely a bad idea, and even the replacements are hurt? They call up the guys who may not have had a chance until next year. Enter Jarod Palmer.

Palmer is a Minnesotan, thus he is clearly the answer. The fact that he is from Fridley (just a couple miles from my own hometown) makes it even better. Expect there to be a few folks at the X tonight pulling a little extra hard for one player in particular. Hopefully the kid is ready, as he steps into a lineup that needs him to get it, and get it immediately.

After the jump, let's meet Jarod Palmer.

The Stats

His stats have been consistent through most of his career. A few dips along the way, but mostly a decent offensive option. His game has not fully developed in the AHL, but he has contributed. How he will fare in the NHL? We'll see tonight.

The Experts

From the Wild:

Palmer, 25 (2/10/86), has collected 10 points (4-6=10), 13 penalty minutes (PIM) and a plus-8 rating in 26 games with Houston this season. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound native of Fridley, Minn., recorded 28 points (9-19=28) and 64 PIM in 65 games with the Aeros during his first professional season in 2010-11 and added five points in 24 playoff matches with Houston. He never missed a game during his four-year career at Miami (Ohio) University, totaling 137 points (47-90=137) in 169 contests and helped lead the RedHawks to the NCAA Frozen Four in each of his last two seasons. Palmer led Miami with 18 goals, 45 points and a +27 rating in 44 games during his senior campaign. A Scholar Athlete at Miami University, he won the Outstanding Senior Award and was the recipient of the Rookie of the Year Award as a freshman.

From Ms. Conduct:

I feel bad because I broke Palmer early last season when he was leading the team in scoring (much to everyone's surprise) and I asked him about his scoring streak. He's never been as hot since. But still, he's a good hockey player. Defensively responsible, really nifty hands. He doesn't play a flashy game, but has pretty good hockey sense, isn't afraid of the dirty areas. Just a well-rounded guy who should be able to hold his own in pretty much any role you ask him to play.

Last year from T3I:

He's a moderate scorer, but from what I understand, his contributions don't always show in his stats. He's a fierce competitor, gritty, tough, and durable. He's apparently a high energy guy who is a rock solid penalty killer, strong on the puck, and he can find the net (or find someone around the net) as he had 18 goals and more than a point per game to his name his senior year at Miami.

Why wasn't he drafted? Seems he was a little bit of a late bloomer and really found his game in college and made a name for himself his senior year.

The geniuses here at Hockey Wilderness also wrote a bit about him when the Wild signed him. The question is... is Nathan still excited?

Video

If that video wasn't included here, Nathan may have been angry.

Wouldn't suggest this tonight.

More video HERE, including quite a few fights. Never pegged him to be that guy.

Where Will He Play?

Your guess is as good as anyone else's. If Bouchard doesn't play, Palmer has to be in the top six. If Bouchard does play, maybe Palmer moves into a third line role. The lineup is so up in the air right now, it would be impossible to venture the right guess here. His skill set is middle six, so that's where he should line up.