New York Islanders Pending Unrestricted Free Agent Possible New Deals

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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 22: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders reacts during the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers during their game at Barclays Center on November 22, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Anders Lee

Current Deal: $3.75 million

Over the last two season, Anders Lee has scored 74 goals. Tied for the fifth most goals in the league over that period with Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Mathews. And Anders Lee is making less than Brock Nelson this season.

A Brock Nelson who will seemingly be his center this season. Going from John Tavares as your center to Brock Nelson is a huge drop. And that might very well show itself on the score sheet for him.

Worse Season: Less than 56 points

That change from John Tavares to Brock Nelson will result in Lee scoring fewer goals in 2018-19 over his 40 last year.

Typically Brock Nelson disappears somewhere in the mid-season. Last November Nelson put up a single point. A single goal in a 5-3 win over Tampa Bay Lightning. That was Brock’s only point that November, which had 12 games on the schedule.

Anders Lee needs a player to carry the puck into the zone and set up the play. John Tavares did a lot of that last season.

Lee will still be his former self on the power play. Notching another 14 goals on the man advantage won’t be a problem for Lee. He’ll still put up 34 goals or so come seasons end.

Cap Hit: $7 million, Four to Five Years

The same deal as Jordan Erbele, more importantly, it’s almost the same deal as Max Pacioretty (a premier goal scorer in the NHL), and as James van Riemsdyk a player with the same playing style as Anders Lee.

That would be a $3.25 million raise for, again, the fifth best goal scorer in the NHL over the last two seasons.