Report: Andres Lee Leaving New York Islanders

Times are a changing on Long Island.

The New York Islanders are likely going to have a new captain next season as TSN's Pierre LeBrun's reporting Andres Lee and the Isles are far apart in contract negotiation, and Lee appears to be headed for free agency on July 1.

Looking like Anders Lee is preparing to hit free agency. His agent Neil Sheehy met with Isles GM Mathieu Darche today. Both sides far apart. The Isles intend to keep trying, they want their captain back. But Lee appears most likely headed to market at the moment. Obviously things…
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 3, 2026

Lee, 35, has been a part of the Islanders organization since 2009, when the team drafted him in the sixth round, 152nd overall. This past season, Lee appeared in all 82 games, scored 19 goals and added 23 assists for 42 points. Over the course of the last four seasons, Lee's been as durable as they come, missing just one game over that span.

Heading into the free agency this summer, the Islanders need to be financially savvy as they look to find another goaltender to pair with Ilya Sorokin, plus they have Matthew Schaefer's contract extension looming in the distance.

Darche has just $10.68 million in cap space to work with, which ranks fourth last in the entire league. There's been rumblings about Mat Barzal and Anthony Duclair on the trade block, so perhaps if Darche can move out some money, Lee could be set to return for next season.