Kyle Palmieri replaces Ryan Callahan on U.S. World Cup roster

Two weeks after Kyle Palmieri signed a five-year, $23.5 million extension with the New Jersey Devils he has been named by USA Hockey as Ryan Callahan’s replacement for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.

“Kyle brings an all-around game that we’re confident will fit nicely with the framework we’re looking to build,” said Team USA GM Dean Lombardi. “He’s coming off an outstanding year in New Jersey and will play an important role with our team.”

Callahan will miss the tournament after undergoing surgery to repair a labral tear in his right hip.

Palmieri is coming off a career season that saw him score 30 goals and record 57 points. Among players eligible for the U.S roster, only Patrick Kane (46) and Joe Pavelski (38) scored more goals.

The U.S. roster could certainly use a bit of offense, which is why Palmieri gets the call over a Callahan-type player. Team USA director of hockey operations Jim Johannson talked to Puck Daddy earlier this month about the type of conversations had when talking about a replacement.

“Obviously Ryan Callahan is a premier penalty killer in the league so are you looking for a premier penalty killer or, ‘OK, other guys are going to have to pick up the slack there and now we have an opportunity to put something else in the lineup?’”

What about Phil Kessel you ask? Well, he did undergo surgery on his right hand earlier this month. While Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford said he wouldn’t miss any time that probably didn’t include meaningful games in September, thus ruling him out of the U.S. squad.

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy