Anders Lee’s Role and the team outlook for Next season. 2026/2027

[Chardo]

Landeskog was 19 when he was made captain.

Youngest ever in NHL history…..

Just saying it’s an option. (I’d pick Horvat)

Crosby and McDavid were also made captains at 19, the youngest ever at the time.

 

[MikeyMike01]

The dysfunctional power play has really hurt Lee. I think there is a spot for him in the middle six if they put more shots on net and used his screening and garbage goal ability.

If that won’t be the game plan Lee may not have a roll.

Engvall is also the perfect bury in AHL candidate. I think the difference of him in the A or bought out is only a few hundred thousand. Might as well eat that over 4 years rather than 8?

I would explore retaining $1M on Engvall in a trade. It’s like a buyout but half as long. Maybe someone is open to paying him $2M.

 

[saintunspecified]

I would explore retaining $1M on Engvall in a trade. It’s like a buyout but half as long. Maybe someone is open to paying him $2M.

NYI only have 2 retention slots, and locking up a retention slot long term reduces flexibility in a way that could have unforeseen consequences. I don't see a reason to do anything with Engvall until offseason 2028 at the earliest.

For all the crap he gets, I don't for the life of me see how he isn't a better player than Kyle McLean. If the extra 1-1.25 M on the cap is crucial, bury him. But that does not seem likely to me.

NYI could utilize one or two retention slots on Duclair, Palmieri or Palat in the offseason to upgrade on the wing. Probably not, but imo the flexibility is important, and I'd rather use short term retention.

 

[Tres Peleches]

NYI only have 2 retention slots, and locking up a retention slot long term reduces flexibility in a way that could have unforeseen consequences. I don't see a reason to do anything with Engvall until offseason 2028 at the earliest.

For all the crap he gets, I don't for the life of me see how he isn't a better player than Kyle McLean. If the extra 1-1.25 M on the cap is crucial, bury him. But that does not seem likely to me.

NYI could utilize one or two retention slots on Duclair, Palmieri or Palat in the offseason to upgrade on the wing. Probably not, but imo the flexibility is important, and I'd rather use short term retention.

We probably could have just retained on Drouin this offseason and been on the hook for $2M instead of now being on the hook for $6.5M for 2 more years, but whatever

Darche has made this team much older and much slower… it’s not even like the guys he’s bringing in are like 30 or 31 and still with gas in the tank

So it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see Lee resigned for 3 years. I just hope to God it’s for super cheap

 

[Throttle]

We probably could have just retained on Drouin this offseason and been on the hook for $2M instead of now being on the hook for $6.5M for 2 more years, but whatever

Darche has made this team much older and much slower… it’s not even like the guys he’s bringing in are like 30 or 31 and still with gas in the tank

So it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see Lee resigned for 3 years. I just hope to God it’s for super cheap

‘Probably’ - but they didn’t. Maybe the team does not want to retain salary?

They are obviously OK with paying Schenn the $2M plus in cap hit bc they want that type of player. If you look further Schenn is owed only $8.3M cash vs $13M cap hit.

In essence, for the organization they are paying one additional year at $4M cash for Schenn - the same they were paying waste of space Druin. Replacement price is probably’ the same. Again, a nothing burger except the dissenters are all unhappy they didn’t get the toys they wanted.

 

[Tres Peleches]

‘Probably’ - but they didn’t. Maybe the team does not want to retain salary?

They are obviously OK with paying Schenn the $2M plus in cap hit bc they want that type of player. If you look further Schenn is owed only $8.3M cash vs $13M cap hit.

In essence, for the organization they are paying one additional year at $4M cash for Schenn - the same they were paying waste of space Druin. Replacement price is probably’ the same. Again, a nothing burger except the dissenters are all unhappy they didn’t get the toys they wanted.

More like realists who don’t think trading futures for over the hill vets is a good idea for a team that’s isn’t on the cusp of being SC contenders and should be looking to get younger and faster, not older and slower

But you do you, I suppose

 

[Throttle]

More like realists who don’t think trading futures for over the hill vets is a good idea for a team that’s isn’t on the cusp of being SC contenders and should be looking to get younger and faster, not older and slower

But you do you, I suppose

You still need players to play the game. Each time the Isles go out to UFA to get a guy, they miss pretty hard.

For the ‘realists’, the organization wants to make the playoffs and probably win a round. They are also telegraphing to the market they are not sitting on their arse with Shaefer, rather they are demonstrating they will push forward, which may increase the liklihood of better players seeking to play on the Isle.

My guess is the fans are grumpy, but the team and management are a-ok.

 

[Tres Peleches]

You still need players to play the game. Each time the Isles go out to UFA to get a guy, they miss pretty hard.

For the ‘realists’, the organization wants to make the playoffs and probably win a round. They are also telegraphing to the market they are not sitting on their arse with Shaefer, rather they are demonstrating they will push forward, which may increase the liklihood of better players seeking to play on the Isle.

My guess is the fans are grumpy, but the team and management are a-ok.

You can do all of those things without raiding the geriatric home

Brayden Schenn does not materially make this team significantly better, at least not enough to warrant the cost paid for him.

It’s not trading for players that’s the problem. We absolutely should be doing that.

It’s using good assets on players who don’t address any of the core faults of this team, outside of grittiness, but old, slow gritty guys aren’t guys you should be spending your good assets on

You speak about management and how “they’re ok with it” as if management were infallible. You probably would have been ok with Milbury’s shenanigans in the 90s too, I take it

 

[MattMartin]

Not sure where this belongs, but belongs somewhere...

The Islanders are 9-4 since we added Soucy, Palat, and Schenn.

Also 10 of last 12 at home to finish out the season.

 

[19 in a row]

3rd line wing (wish he played on 4th line) . captain.Would want 1 year but think he gets 2 years.. hopefully with 4M AAV or less but have a feeling it will be 5M.

still has some value for us. More than to any other team as our Captain, so I see him back.

 

[MarsTBOW]

I just heard that in his first game as an Islander, Schenn after seeing the Sharks taking runs at Schaefer-Time went to their bench and told them If They Continued to do that, there would be Big Consequences...
Now, I love Lee but the fact it was Schenn who did this in his first game speaks Loudly to the Vacuum of leadership on the Isles...
Anders just maybe too nice and it's time to move on....
I can name times when Schaefer was cheap shotted and Lee did nothing...
The Marchment/Barzal incident was one of them....

 

[ScaredStreit]

I just heard that in his first game as an Islander, Schenn after seeing the Sharks taking runs at Schaefer-Time went to their bench and told them If They Continued to do that, there would be Big Consequences...
Now, I love Lee but the fact it was Schenn who did this in his first game speaks Loudly to the Vacuum of leadership on the Isles...
Anders just maybe too nice and it's time to move on....
I can name times when Schaefer was cheap shotted and Lee did nothing...
The Marchment/Barzal incident was one of them....

The problem with the Marchment/Barzal incident is that Barzal shouldn't have been the one to step in. I'm glad he did-good for him, but you can't have your best players doing that. I agree the Lee's of the world need to be the ones to do that. I don't doubt Schenn would have.

 

[MarsTBOW]

The problem with the Marchment/Barzal incident is that Barzal shouldn't have been the one to step in. I'm glad he did-good for him, but you can't have your best players doing that. I agree the Lee's of the world need to be the ones to do that. I don't doubt Schenn would have.

Exactly my point....
I think Darche thought we needed a Schenn in this lineup.

 

[I am the Problem]

Not sure where this belongs, but belongs somewhere...

The Islanders are 9-4 since we added Soucy, Palat, and Schenn.

Also 10 of last 12 at home to finish out the season.

Out of the three Soucy was probably needed the most. They simply could not continue both Mayfield and Boquist.

 

[Skip To My Lou]

I’m a softie and I want Lee back for sentimental reasons. But I also don’t think he’s a detriment to the team if you bring him back on a two year deal similar to Palmieri and Pageau.

He’s fine for what he is.

 

[LeapOnOver]

I actually am looking at this from Lee's standpoint. If he thinks he's got more than 2 or 3 years left he may want a longer contract and probably won't get that from a team considered a cup contender. If he wants a cup, he'll have to take a short term deal from a cup contender. If he loves LI and still thinks the team is a year or two away from a cup, he may want to stay (or maybe values the life here more than a cup entirely).

I've been trying to see it from Lee's standpoint rather than Darche's.

 

[Chardo]

I actually am looking at this from Lee's standpoint. If he thinks he's got more than 2 or 3 years left he may want a longer contract and probably won't get that from a team considered a cup contender. If he wants a cup, he'll have to take a short term deal from a cup contender. If he loves LI and still thinks the team is a year or two away from a cup, he may want to stay (or maybe values the life here more than a cup entirely).

I've been trying to see it from Lee's standpoint rather than Darche's.

From Lee's standpoint, if I'm Lee, I'm thinking this is the only team I've ever known. I'm about to be their longest tenured captain. They're on the cusp of something special here. There's maybe 3 or 4 teams definitely closer to a Cup, none of which are a sure thing, and none of which really need me anyway. If I go to any of them, I'm not the one who'll be raising that Cup like I would be here. I've already made $65 million, gonna make a few million more wherever I play, so money isn't a factor. I want to stay here and finish this ride, hopefully raise that Cup, maybe even have my number retired.

 

[Lek]

Lee is an Islander. Team guy. Think he proved it last time around. The transition window is still 1-3 years (time when our younger prospects should be coming up needing room). I have no issue signing him to a 2-3 year team friendly contract moving forward. I also believe he would be fine in a 4th line vet roll in year 2-3

 

[saintunspecified]

What's funny is that the better plan might be to sign the ex Rangers captain for 2-3 years for the money you'd have spent on Lee.

 

[Rileslanders]

Eiserman/Holmstrom – Horvat – Barzal


Holmstrom/Eiserman – Schenn – Ritchie


Palat – Pageau – Palmieri


Heineman – Nelson - Czikas

Shabby, Duclair

Schaeffer - Pulock
Pelech - DeAngelo
Romanov - Mayfield

Sorokin - ?????

I don't see the defense changing, except Romanov in for Soucy, and if Tony D isn't re-signed.

Would be great to see Eiserman paired with Ritchie.

 

[MarsTBOW]

It was not very smart for Lee to tell Darche that he won't negotiate during the season if he really was bent on staying.
His $ can be spent much better elsewhere.

 

[Throttle]

Lee is an Islander. Team guy. Think he proved it last time around. The transition window is still 1-3 years (time when our younger prospects should be coming up needing room). I have no issue signing him to a 2-3 year team friendly contract moving forward. I also believe he would be fine in a 4th line vet roll in year 2-3

There is no way the Isles should sign Lee to a 3 year contract. Time to move on. Even Benn-deal just doesn’t fit the mix once you take away all the emotions.

He needs a superstar playoff - which is 100% contigent on the Isles shooting the puck at the net not passing 400x - for that to happen and that’s a Nostradamus level of remoteness/

 

[doublechili]

There is no way the Isles should sign Lee to a 3 year contract. Time to move on. Even Benn-deal just doesn’t fit the mix once you take away all the emotions.

He needs a superstar playoff - which is 100% contigent on the Isles shooting the puck at the net not passing 400x - for that to happen and that’s a Nostradamus level of remoteness/

If Darche signs Lee to a 3 year 35+ contract, that would be a REALLY bad sign. I'd get out some papyrus, a quill pen and an inkwell and get to work on a firmly-worded letter in that case.

 

[Lek]

There is no way the Isles should sign Lee to a 3 year contract. Time to move on. Even Benn-deal just doesn’t fit the mix once you take away all the emotions.

He needs a superstar playoff - which is 100% contigent on the Isles shooting the puck at the net not passing 400x - for that to happen and that’s a Nostradamus level of remoteness/

Not going to say he would play for 3 - a going away present in the form of a buyout.....not going to say that would be a smart thing either.

Just do not see a scenario where he is not back.
I would prefer one year at a time, likely not realistic?

 

[eoin92]

If Darche signs Lee to a 3 year 35+ contract, that would be a REALLY bad sign. I'd get out some papyrus, a quill pen and an inkwell and get to work on a firmly-worded letter in that case.

How far of a drive is it to Westchester for you? You and Periferal could get together and work on it. He is an experienced letter writer.