Report: Islanders Captain & Pending UFA Anders Lee 'Not A Slam Dunk' To Re-Sign

After 14 years with the NY Islanders, the last eight as captain, Anders Lee is 'not a slam dunk' to return, according to a report from Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.

Yes, the Islanders have indicated to their captain that they'd like to bring him back. But, with Lee about to turn 36, and his numbers taking a bit of a dip this past season, LeBrun writes that there are some hurdles to clear before there's a path for that to happen.

My understanding is that New York Islanders GM Mathieu Darche has indicated to Lee’s agent, Neil Sheehy, that the team does have interest in re-signing Lee but that it needs to make a few other moves before it can go down that road.
Lee is also interested in staying on Long Island, but the sides would need to find common ground on salary and term, and I don’t think that’s a slam dunk given his age.

Lee is coming off a seven-year, $49M deal with a $7M AAV. His next deal, whether with the Islanders or any other team if he gets to free agency, will be for a lot less term and somewhat of a drop in cap hit, as LeBrun insinuates.

AFP Analytics projects Lee being able to secure a three-year deal with a $6.6M AAV.

After being a sixth-round pick in 2009, Lee has made a terrific career for himself on Long Island, with nine 20-goal seasons. He was on a run of four of those in a row before falling just short this year, with 19 to go along with 23 assists for 42 points in 82 games. He's missed just one game in the past four seasons combined.

Lee was the King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner in 2024, given for Leadership and Humanitarian Contribution.

The Islanders have three other pending UFAs, all on the blueline, in Carson Soucy, Tony DeAngelo, and Adam Boqvist. Marc Gatcomb is an RFA. The team is projected to have $10.6M in cap space for next season, but there are other moves that will definitely be needed, as the team tries to rejig its roster to try to return to the playoffs after missing out the past couple of years.