NY Islanders GM Mathieu Darche has been prepared to let Anders Lee walk as free agent

If Anders Lee leaves the New York Islanders on July 1st, it will be an ending that seemed likely, if not inevitable, after what happened leading up to last season's trade deadline. It will represent a decision that Mathieu Darche largely put in motion himself.

Pierre LeBrun reported Tuesday that Lee, for just the second time in his NHL career, will test unrestricted free agency. The first time, back in 2019, ended with the Islanders captain signing a seven-year contract extension after what felt like an agonizing process for fans. This time feels different. Much different. And if Lee ultimately walks away from the only NHL organization he's ever known, it's hard not to view it as a mistake for both Darche and the Islanders.

There have been very few players in the post-dynasty era more important to the franchise than Lee. Is he still a 40-goal scorer? No. Is he 35 years old? Yes. But over the last decade, there may not have been a more consistent Islander. You know exactly what you're getting from Lee: 20 goals, net-front presence, leadership, physicality and professionalism. Those traits aren't easily replaced, especially when they all come in the same player.

Over the last several months, Darche has committed roster spots and salary cap dollars to players like Ondrej Palat and Brayden Schenn, both veterans in their mid-30s who, while accomplished NHL players, have done nothing for the Islanders organization and arguably aren't better players than Lee at this stage of their careers. Add in the extension for Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and suddenly the argument that the Islanders don't have room for Lee starts to feel less convincing.

Now, if Lee receives a three-year contract with an average annual value that exceeds the Islanders' comfort level, that's understandable. Every player has a price point where the risk outweighs the reward.

But if Anders Lee leaves because the organization simply wasn't willing to prioritize keeping him, that's a different conversation entirely.

Because losing your captain, one of the best and most consistent players of the last 40 years, doesn't make the Islanders younger. It doesn't make them more competitive. And it certainly doesn't clarify whatever long-term vision Darche has for this roster.

Maybe there's still time to avoid this ending, but it feels like it's an ending Darche was prepared for and maybe, even expecting.

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