Anders Lee is going to see what else is out there.
The New York Islanders captain informed the team Tuesday morning that he plans to test unrestricted free agency, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic. It’s not a move anyone involved took lightly. The Islanders actually improved their contract offer late in negotiations, but it still wasn’t enough to get a deal done before the July 1 opening of free agency.
LeBrun posted on X that the door remains open for Lee to return to Long Island. But he’ll also hear from other teams starting Wednesday.
Lee has spent his entire NHL career with the Islanders after they selected him 152nd overall in the 2009 draft. He broke into the league during the 2012-13 season and has since played 923 games for the franchise. He’s scored 308 goals and added 241 assists. Those numbers put him fifth all-time in games played for the Islanders, fourth in goals, and tenth in points.
This isn’t Lee’s first trip through free agency. Back in 2019, he was also an unrestricted free agent before signing a seven-year deal worth $7 million per season on the very first day of the market. That contract is about to expire.
Lee is coming off a down year by his standards. He played all 82 games but scored just 19 goals with 23 assists. That’s his lowest goal total in a season where he appeared in more than 30 games since the 2014-15 campaign.
The Islanders have already been busy ahead of free agency. They signed defenseman Tony DeAngelo to a $9 million extension, keeping him off the market. But letting Lee reach free agency — even if he eventually comes back — is a gamble. He’s been the face of the franchise for years, and teams looking for a proven goal-scorer and leader will almost certainly call.
Whether Lee returns to New York or lands somewhere else, the decision came down to the numbers not matching. And now the wait to see where he ends up begins.
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