Anders Lee Looking to Get Back on the Plus Side for the New York Islanders

Plus and Minus Sides of New York Islanders captain Anders Lee

PLUS

There is no doubt that Lee’s most significant value comes in the form of veteran leadership. The intangible qualities he brings to the table have an unquantifiable value. Lee’s unwavering demeanor, particularly in the face of adversity has made him one of the strongest leaders in the Islanders’ clubhouse.

When Lee took over as captain following John Tavares’ departure, he inherited a team that faced several challenges. Namely, the Islanders were a team in transition, looking to find a voice to guide it through a period of significant uncertainty.

But that’s where Lee shined the brightest. The club rallied around him, working together to make back-to-back Conference Final appearances. During that time, Lee remained one of the most consistent forces for the club.

Additionally, Lee’s consistent production gave the New York Islanders a reliable offensive source. Lee has consistently scored 20 or more goals in every season since 2014-15, except for the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season.

Overall, Anders Lee’s plus side goes beyond the numbers. He’s the veteran voice that has helped young players rise through the ranks as they make their mark on the NHL. He embraced the role as a captain, keeping a level head throughout his tenure as the Islanders’ standard bearer.

His durability and consistent production have enabled the club to breathe a little easier, especially during times when inconsistency and injuries take their toll. This upcoming season, Lee will be more valuable than ever as a full season under coach Patrick Roy looks to build on last year’s impressive mid-season turnaround.

Barring a major injury, Lee should be there game in and game out, grinding it out, even if it’s in a bottom-six role.

MINUS

The clear downside to Lee is apparent declining production. Lee’s points totals have trended downward since 2017-18 when he notched a career-high 62 points. While he’s consistently maintained a 20-goal pace, there’s concern that his production may continue to decline.

Specifically, being bumped to a bottom-six role could further hamper his ability to generate offense. Then again, playing against a different set of opponents could boost Lee’s scoring chances. As a top-six forward, Lee would face the opposition’s best defenders. In a third-line role, Lee could face the opposition’s less talented defenders, allowing him to score more often.

Now, this assumption is not about sheltering Lee so that he has an easier time. It’s about helping build his confidence while providing valuable depth scoring. That’s something the New York Islanders have lacked over the last couple of seasons.

Assuming that the top six can carry their offensive weight, having a reliable third-line scoring option, while playing a responsible defensive role, should boast well for the Islanders’ overall structure and performance. Nevertheless, the fact that Lee is 34, and one more season removed from free agency, may place additional pressure on him to perform.

While it’s way too soon to talk about contract extensions for Lee, it’s undeniable that Lee must demonstrate that he still has enough gas in the tank to be a serviceable NHL forward. Otherwise, the sun may be setting on Lee’s tenure in New York.

The Verdict

Lee is part of the New York Islanders’ heart and soul. His contributions cannot go unnoticed, even if they don’t get much attention. However, Lee must find a way to recover his offensive production as the Isles look to compete in the Metro Division.

Given the strength of divisional opponents, and the overall talent level in the Eastern Conference, Anders Lee and the Islanders will need to rally together to make headway in 2024-25.