New York Islanders
· 2026-07-05
The New York Islanders are on the verge of losing captain Anders Lee to free agency, with the pending free agent set to become unrestricted at 12 p.m. ET on July 1.
Anders Lee has spent parts of 14 NHL seasons with the Islanders, appearing in 923 games with 308 goals and 241 assists.
The Islanders and Lee had begun negotiating a new contract, but no agreement has been announced, leaving Lee's future with the team uncertain.
The Athletic's Chris Johnston wrote that Lee appears set to move on from the Islanders, citing his durability and threat to score on the power play.
Lee's potential departure would be a significant loss for the Islanders, who are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 43-34 record and on a L3 streak as of July 5, 2026.
Anders Lee brings leadership intangibles, having worn the 'C' on Long Island, and profiles as a power forward who is tough to contain physically.
Lee will turn 36 in July and is heading toward the end of his NHL journey, which may finish with a team other than the Islanders.
In the 2025-26 season, Lee finished with 19 goals, 23 assists, and 91 hits, demonstrating his reliability and skill on the ice.
The Islanders will need to find a way to replace Lee's production and leadership if he does indeed leave the team.
Anders Lee was a sixth-round pick by the Islanders in the 2009 NHL Draft and has been a key player for the team over the years.