Metropolitan Notes: Devils, Tavares, Lyon, Kreider

New Jersey GM Ray Shero spoke with the media on Thursday after re-signing Kyle Palmieri to a five year deal.  He mentioned that there may not be much more activity from the Devils as he would like to keep some spots open for competition in training camp for their youngsters, notes Chris Ryan of NJ.com.  2015 first round pick Pavel Zacha impressed at the junior level last year while Joseph Blandisi fared well in limited NHL action last season and both players could potentially make a run at a full-time roster spot in training camp.  Shero made sure to mention that he wouldn’t rule out making any further moves between now and the start of the regular season, however.

More from the Metropolitan:

• Islanders center John Tavares is more than 23 months away from becoming an unrestricted free agent but already GM Garth Snow is making plans to talk about extending his deal once the two sides can talk about a new contract in July of 2017, writes Brian Erni of Islanders Point Blank. It’s obvious why the Isles would want to get something done quickly to avoid the year-long questions and distractions that followed Tampa Bay forward Steven Stamkos throughout all of last season and into late June.
• There were a dozen teams that tried to sign goaltender Alex Lyon late last season, writes Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer. One of the factors that led Lyon to ultimately sign with the Flyers is that  both of their current goalies, Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth, are slated to become unrestricted free agents in the 2017 offseason which could potentially open up a spot for the 23 year old (who will be a restricted free agent next year) before too long.  He’ll likely wind up in the AHL to start next season where he will battle with incumbent Anthony Stolarz for playing time.
• Larry Brooks of the New York Post suggests that Palmieri’s deal could be a comparable for Rangers restricted free agent winger Chris Kreider.  In the last two years, Kreider has 89 points while in that same span, Palmieri has 86.  Kreider filed for arbitration earlier this week and is coming off a two year, $4.95MM deal.