Islanders rumors: Anders Lee ‘preparing to hit free agency,’ but there’s a catch

The New York Islanders collapsed at the end of the season, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With Pete DeBoer locked in as the head coach and Matthew Schaefer coming off an electric Calder Trophy season, there is optimism for 2026-27. But the Islanders may be without a mainstay, as Anders Lee is preparing to leave in free agency. But The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun says that the conversations are not over yet.

“Looking like Anders Lee is preparing to hit free agency. His agent Neil Sheehy met with Isles GM Mathieu Darche today. Both sides far apart. The Isles intend to keep trying, they want their captain back. But Lee appears most likely headed to market at the moment. Obviously things could change between now and July 1,” LeBrun reported.

Lee was drafted by the Islanders in the sixth round of the 2009 NHL Draft, making his debut in the 2012-13 season. Since then, he has played 923 games in the Blue and Orange, the third-most in franchise history. He has been the captain since the 2018-19 season, when John Tavares vacated the captaincy.

The Islanders traded for Brayden Schenn at the NHL trade deadline, a veteran winger with a nose for the net. That is exactly what Lee provides, so they may try to use his cap space to improve in other areas. But if Lee is willing to take a significant discount and play less, Mathieu Darche may decide to keep him around.

The next Islanders captain will be a conversation if Lee leaves. Bo Horvat and Ryan Pulock were the alternate captains last year. Mathew Barzal and Schaefer could be considered to fill an alternate spot if one of those players gets the ‘C’

If Lee does leave, the Minnesota Wild will be an intriguing destination. His hometown club needs some depth to compete in the Central Division and needs cheap production. Jack Capuano, his former Islanders coach, is an assistant in Minnesota as well.

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