Islanders' Anders Lee ready for anything as he begins final year of contract
The Islanders' Anders Lee during the first day of training camp on Sep. 18 in East Meadow. Credit: Dawn McCormick
Anders Lee has two frames of reference as he enters the final season of his seven-year, $49 million deal at age 35.
The first is, the Islanders captain went through this all before and can take an objective view on how it all may play out. Secondly, he watched former teammate and longtime friend Brock Nelson go through this last season, ending with his trade to the Avalanche.
“It just gives you a greater understanding to see it kind of firsthand,” Lee told Newsday after Tuesday’s practice at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow. “He went through it in his whole situation and we were right there with him and understood what was going on with him. So, if anything, it’s just insight to how things work and how hard it can be. But I thought Brock handled that with class.”
Lee is expected to be back in the Islanders’ lineup for their preseason finale on Thursday night in Philadelphia after suffering a minor upper-body injury in the preseason opener against the Flyers on Sept. 21.
And his power game is again expected to play a key role among the top-six forwards, likely starting the season on Mathew Barzal’s left wing opposite Kyle Palmieri. Lee notched 29 goals and 25 assists while playing in all 82 games last season, an uptick of 17 points from the previous season.
“Anders understands what kind of player he is,” coach Patrick Roy said. “I think for him to play with Barzy will be good. He understands what he needs to do on the ice and what he could bring to the table for us. His net presence is going to be a big thing for us.”
But Lee could become a prime candidate to be moved by general manager/executive vice president Mathieu Darche before the trade deadline if the Islanders struggle in the playoff race again. The last time Lee was an impending unrestricted free agent, he went through the entire 2018-19 season unsure of whether he’d return before former boss Lou Lamoriello finally signed him to his current deal when the free agent market opened on July 1, 2019.
“Take it day by day,” Lee said. “We’ve been in this spot before, in a contract year. Mathieu and I have had great conversations and we’re on the same page of we’re both worried about what’s going on to start the season and let’s go have a great year as a team. The rest of that stuff will fall into place and that’s where my mindset is.”
Lee added seven additional seasons of experience help his perspective. This time just feels different.
“Yeah, for sure, it does,” Lee said. “The first time going through something like that, a long negotiation. It was just wearing, for sure. But I learned a lot and it all worked out. I’ve been through it now and understand it. I’ve been in the league long enough now to get what’s going on.
“That doesn’t eliminate all discomfort, but it’s part of it.”
Notes & quotes: Goalie Marcus Hogberg and forward Matthew Highmore were placed on waivers and will likely be re-assigned to the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport if they clear on Wednesday.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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