New York Islanders Anders Lee Looking Like a Permanent Fixture

The New York Islanders named Anders Lee their team captain right before the start of the season. In addition, the Isles are progressing on a new long-term deal with Lee.

It appeared the New York Islanders were going to enter the season without a team captain. Word was the Isles would go with three alternates instead. Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz decided that Anders Lee was the right person to be the 15th captain in the franchises’ history.

Humble Beginnings

Lee had to work very hard and earn everything he has received so far in his hockey career. When one is a 6th round pick (2009 Draft, 152nd Overall) that is always going to be the case.

Everyone knew Lee had size (six-foot-three, 231 pounds), the questions that surrounded the Minnesota native were about his skating. Lee developed his game at the University of Notre Dame, where he went from a late-round draft pick to a top prospect.

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Break Out

Lee started to emerge in the 2014-15 season when he posted 25 goals, 41 points and was a plus-nine. That netted him a four-year $15 million dollar deal. After struggling at the beginning of that contract, Lee has been a force the last two and half years.

It’s a short list of players in the NHL that have scored more goals than Anders the last two seasons (74 last two years and 40 last season). In addition, the company Lee is with, in terms of goal scoring is a very lofty one.

New Deal?

Over the summer it was reported that Lee’s camp wanted to talk about a new contract, as he is slated to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. At the time Lamoriello wanted to wait and see a bit and get a full picture and understanding of the organization’s entire roster.

Well, apparently it’s become very clear to Lou and Trotz, that Anders needs to be a big part of the Islanders future moving forward. It was reported in September that Lou and Anders’s camp are progressing very well on a new long-term deal.

Soon after that news was reported Lou and Trotz decided to name Lee the captain. It became clear to them based on his performance, leadership, and his connections with his teammates he was the only person to be considered for the job.

It’s hard to imagine that Lou and Trotz would name Lee captain unless they knew he was going to be a big part of the organization for years to come.

All signs point to Lee signing a new long-term deal with the Isles in the near future. That is a really good thing for the Islander organization and their fans.