New York Islanders Sign Anders Lee To Seven Year Extension

After missing out on Artemi Panarin the New York Islanders looped back and signed Anders Lee to a seven-year $49 million deal.

And exhale. The New York Islanders made their first move of the day by signing Anders Lee to a seven-year $49 million ($7 million AAV) contract extension. Fear not, the Islanders captain isn’t going anywhere.

For weeks it appeared like the Islanders weren’t willing to go seven-years with Anders Lee. Lou Lamoriello and company seemed deadset on signing Lee to a shorter term four or five-year contract.

After the Islanders missed out on Artemi Panarin, it seemed obvious to get Anders Lee on the horn and see if they can get their captain back. Aaron Portzline reported earlier today that Lee could top $9 million AAV on the open market, but due to numerous circumstances, it never got that in depth for Lee on the open market. He truly wanted to come back.

It was just up to Lou Lamoriello to offer him a legitimate contract. Over the last three years, there have been few guys to score more goals than Anders Lee who has 102 goals over that time.

Lee’s best season to date came in 2017-2018 when he netted 40 goals and had a career-high of 62 points. He followed that up with just 28 goals this past year, but he still eclipsed the 50 point mark for the third year in a row.

The Islanders biggest issue last year was goal scoring and they were able to get their leading scorer back on a reasonable deal. $7 million AAV is completly fair for Anders Lee, and going seven-years is a fair compromise.

The deal will take him through his age 35 season. That last year of the deal could look a little rough but it should be fair to expect at least five to six solid years left where you can pencil him in for 25 goals or more and not think about it.

What could’ve been an absolutely disastrous day has been saved to an extent. Lou Lamoriello can’t be done, they still need more help up front and something in net but right now you have to be satisfied with the Lee deal. The captain is back.