Mathieu Darche wishes Anders Lee well after the NY Islanders captain signs with the Utah Mammoth

When the puck drops on the NY Islanders’ 2026-27 campaign, it’ll be the first without Anders Lee in the opening-night lineup in 12 seasons.

Unable to come to terms with the Islanders on a deal that works for both sides, Lee signed with the Utah Mammoth, agreeing to a 3-year deal with a $5.4M AAV.

Lee signs with Utah

 "Before I take any questions, I just want to recognize and thank Anders for everything he's meant for this organization. Like, he's a true pro," Darche said.  "The way he's handled himself the last year...it's not an easy situation for him. He handled it with the utmost class with the way he played, the way he cared about this team on and off the ice, the way he's been for all these years on Long Island, the way he got involved in the community, and you saw, up until the end, first-round pick, he's calling him three, four days before his contract expires.”

According to reports, Darche was willing to offer Lee a two-year deal, but the longtime Islanders captain was looking for three years. In the end, he got his third year, and he’ll play a veteran presence in an up-and-coming Mammoth lineup. 

“I’m actually happy for Anders that he got the term he wanted and the money he wanted,” Darche said. “Good on him for getting what he wanted.”

Lee, named Captain in 2018, finishes his Islanders tenure as the longest-tenured captain in organization history, tied with Denis Potvin. His 923 games are just 77 short of 1,000 with one organization. When Lee and the Mammoth make their only trip to Long Island at some point next season, it’ll be an emotional day on the ice and throughout the arena.

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