Grading NY Islanders captain Anders Lee's contract entering its final season

When Anders Lee signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with the New York Islanders in July 2019, it was a move to keep the captain and one of the league’s premier net-front presences on Long Island for the long haul. The deal was viewed as too long and too much (what deals aren't?), and there were immediate concerns that the contract would age poorly as Lee played into his mid-30s.

Now entering the final season of the deal, it’s a good time to evaluate how it has played out.

Lee’s contract carried expectations of consistency, leadership, and offensive punch. For the most part, he’s delivered. He eclipsed the 20-goal mark four times during the deal, including a bounce-back 29-goal campaign last season, showing that his net-front finishing touch remained a core part of the Islanders’ offense. Even when his totals dipped, his physicality, leadership, and presence in front of the crease provided value beyond the scoresheet.

Leadership has arguably been the greatest return on investment. Lee steadied the team through multiple regime changes since Barry Trotz. He’s served as the glue in the locker room, a steadying voice for veterans and young players alike, especially during turbulent stretches, always the first one to meet the media after games, even if his comments at times felt redundant and lacked the temperament of a fanbase that wanted to show his frustration as much as they have.

Still, the contract hasn’t been perfect. Lee missed the 2021 playoffs with a torn ACL, a blow during one of the Islanders’ deepest postseason runs in decades. His skating has slowed with age, and at times, his production has not matched the $7 million AAV price tag. The Isles also struggled with cap flexibility during Lou Lamoriello’s tenure, and Lee’s contract was part of that squeeze.

Overall, Lee’s deal can be graded as a B. While it carried risks tied to term and aging, the Islanders got a reliable captain, steady production, and invaluable leadership. Few contracts age well these days, but it's hard to argue that Lee's has aged poorly. He has consistently maintained a high level of goal production throughout and has been able to stay healthy after recovering from his 2021 injury. You can always seem to count on Lee for a 20+ goal season and this season will be no different.