Anders Lee has never won a Stanley Cup. He hasn’t even been to a Final. But for 14 years, he’s been the face of the New York Islanders through some really ugly years and a few pretty good ones. Now he’s about to hit free agency, and a bunch of teams are going to come calling.
The guy just turned 35 in July. He scored 19 goals last season, which isn’t elite anymore but it’s still useful. He’s physical, he’s a leader, and he’s never been a problem in the locker room. That stuff matters when you’re trying to push a contender over the top.
The Islanders might already be out
According to beat reporter Stefen Rosner, New York didn’t want to go past one year in negotiations. Lee wants more. That’s where the impasse is. The Isles let him get to July 1 without a deal, which usually means they’re fine with him walking. They better be sure about that, because the fans love the guy. He helped drag this franchise out of irrelevance, even if the results were fleeting.
So where does he go? The Western Conference seems like the obvious answer. It was wide open last season, and the Golden Knights showed that a hot run and one smart add can get you within two wins of the Cup. Lee still thinks he can be that kind of difference-maker. Here are the teams that make sense.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild are always in the mix. They knocked out Dallas in the first round last season, and they have a core that’s ready to win now. Lee would give them more size up front and another net-front presence on the power play. The cap situation is tricky, but Minnesota has proven they’ll find a way if they want someone badly enough.
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado won the Presidents’ Trophy and then flamed out early in the playoffs. They need depth scoring and veteran presence. Lee could slide into a middle-six role and give them exactly what they were missing against Seattle. The Avs are desperate to get back to the Final, and a guy like Lee who’s never been there might have extra motivation.
Chicago Blackhawks
This one feels weird, right? Chicago is rebuilding. But Connor Bedard changes the timeline. If the Hawks think they can accelerate things, adding a respected veteran captain like Lee makes sense. He’d be a mentor and a solid piece, not the main guy. Plus they have the cap space to overpay if they want.
Lee played all 82 games last season and put up 42 points. That’s not nothing. For a team that needs a reliable forward who knows how to play in traffic, he’s a good bet. Free agency opens July 1 at noon. The phone is going to ring.
Leave a Comment