​The Sporting News article about the Islanders and Anders Lee’s potential free agency has arrived on the eve of the open market. Lee, who wears the “C” for the New York Islanders, is a pending unrestricted free agent as of 12 p.m. ET on July 1, and no contract has been announced as of now, leaving the possibility that he will leave or explore the market.
The Athletic’s Chris Johnston pegged Lee as the No. 4 free agent in his latest rankings, describing him as a hulking winger who thrives around the net. Johnston noted that Lee is durable, hard-working, and remains a threat on the power play, contributing a portion of the Islanders’ scoring over the past five seasons. Lee’s leadership, having worn the captain’s badge, and his profile as a power forward who is difficult to contain physically, add to his appeal.
A sixth-round pick in 2009, Lee played college hockey at Notre Dame before joining the Islanders. He has spent parts of 14 NHL seasons with the team, skating in 923 games and posting 308 goals and 241 assists (549 points). Lee has played in 82 games in three of the past four seasons and 81 in the remaining one, showcasing his reliability for the Islanders. In the 2025-26 season, he totaled 19 goals, 23 assists, and 91 hits. Lee turns 36 in July, signaling the nearing end of his NHL journey, and his next chapter may not be with the Islanders.