Islanders Captain Lee Set to Hit Free Agency As Market Opens Tomorrow

According to multiple reports, Islanders captain Anders Lee is expected to hit the open market when free agency opens tomorrow at noon.  Stefan Rosner has reported that the Islanders were only looking to give Lee a one year contract but he wanted at least two years.  

Lee has been a contributor to the Islanders lineup for 14 seasons now dating back to the 2012/2013 season, including the last 8 as captain.  Lee has wrote the book on consistency during his time here in terms of production.  He is a 9x 20 goal scorer, 2x 30 goal scorer and in 2017/2018 hit 40 goals.  There may have been some seasons we went into with a lot of question marks but one thing you could always count on was Anders Lee would have somewhere between 20-30 goals.  A bulk of which would be scored from the dirty area right in front of the net.  Once John Tavares did the Judas act off to Toronto, it could've led to dark days for the organization.  Lee was chosen to be the captain once Tavares left and you just got the sense it wasn't in his DNA to be woe is me and wallow in it.  That mindset and way thinking reverberated throughout the organization and because it wasn't in his DNA it wasn't in the teams either.  This led to probably the best 5 year stretch the team has had since the dynasty including the two eastern conference final runs around COVID.  Not only has Lee been a fantastic captain but his work in the community has been second to none.  What he has done with his Jam Kancer initiative specifically is just remarkable.

With all the good, time doesn't take it easy on anyone and Lee is now 35 years old and will be 36 when the season starts.  The Islanders have missed the playoffs for 2 years in a row now and collapsed down the stretch last season after holding a playoff spot for much of the season.  I remember being at the Coliseum when Lee scored his first NHL goal against Winnipeg,  With that being said, as much adoration as I have for Lee, given the situation the team is in now moving in a new direction makes a lot of sense.

The Islanders reportedly have not completely closed the door yet on a reunion with Lee but if this is the end, Thank You For Everything Captain!

Islanders Decline QO's On Shabanov, Gatcomb

Last night was the deadline to make your restricted free agents qualifying offers around the NHL.  The Islanders surprised some, not by who they extended offers to but who they didn't.  Among the group that was not given qualifying offers by the Islanders were forwards Max Shabanov & Marc Gatcomb.

First, Shabanov, he was a very highly thought of free agent coming over from Russia last summer.  The Islanders actually beat out a handful of teams to sign him.  While Shabanov did show some flashes including a 5 point game, he was never really able to get going here finding himself in the press box almost as much as in the lineup.  Stefan Rosner said on X that he woudn't be shocked if the Islanders continued talking to Shabanov about a new deal.  I personally would not lose sleep over him donning a new jersey next season.

While Shabanov not being given a qualifying offer was not a huge shock to me, Marc Gatcomb not getting one was pretty surprising.  Sure Gatcomb is never going to be one to line up the score sheet, but that isn't the role he plays.  He chips in a few goals and plays with energy, not sure what else you expect from a 4th line player.  If they are opening that spot to put a more skilled player in there and totally rework the 4th line wings alongside Casey that would be one thing but if they are just going to acquire another checker I don't really get it.  

Islanders Partner With Northwell Health For Child Support Center To Be Named For Schaefers' Mom Jennifer

According to multiple reports, it was announced today that the Islanders with a donation of $150,000 would be partnering with Northwell Health to make a Child Support Center at RJ Zuckerberg Cancer Hospital in New Hyde Park.

This would be a place for children to go and wait while their parent undergoes cancer treatments.  This center will be named in honor of Jennifer Schaefer, the mother of Islanders star Matthew Schaefer who tragically passed away from cancer in 2024.

This is just a tremendous thing that the Islanders are doing with Northwell, well done to them!

Gary Bettman Tells Media That Parking & Traffic Have Improved At UBS, Is He Right?

Today, from the NHL office in Manhattan, Gary Bettman spoke during a media session with the Associated Sports editors.  According to Newsday, among the topics discussed were parking and traffic at UBS arena.  

Bettman suggested that the construction finishing on the Belmont Grand Stand will help matters improve.  Also that it had gotten much better since the Islanders first season.  So the big question is, is he right?

As someone who has been to a ton of games there, mostly driving, I not only think the Commissioner is incorrect, I find the exact opposite to be true when it comes to parking.  When it comes to traffic I don't really feel as though its better but I don't feel like its much worse either.

In my experience, since the arena has opened and specifically over the last season and half to two seasons, parking, specifically exiting the garage has gotten a lot worse.  I specifically mentioned that time frame because it coincides with the opening of the outdoor shopping experience by the parking garage.  

A fan was quoted in the Newsday article talking about how many have gotten used to things.  It is hard to get used to things and build a routine when they routinely change things when you leave the garage.  You can leave one way one game then come the next game when you try to go that way your told your not allowed to leave that way anymore and you have to go this way now.  For example, this happened to me at 3 games in row during the season, there was a different exit pattern each game.  If you dare object with the staff forget about it, it is like the staff thinks fans are robots pre programed to obey them.  If you don't obey them the staff like malfunctions into inappropriate behavior.

The only matter in which I would say traffic is worse is as a result of the changes above.  When exiting on the Cross Island side of the garage you are forced to squeeze 3 sometimes 4 lanes of traffic into one lane in that tight space.  I am surprised there haven't been more accidents with how tight it is there.  While it doesn't create a super long delay, the idea is that it is a decrease in the experience and aren't they supposed to improve the experience and not find ways to make it worse?

Keep in mind, these issues mentioned are occurring with the shops only at 25% occupancy, according to a recent Newsday article.  Imagine what things will be like when or if the shops get to 50+% occupancy?  The garage will no longer be available for hockey then is the way this is trending, in my eyes. 

The Case With Anders Lee, Stay or Go?

With the Islanders season coming to an end, one of the biggest offseason story lines will be the fate of their captain Anders Lee.  Lee is set to hit free agency in July with his 7 year 49 million dollar contract coming to an end.  So, the big question is, does he stay or does he go?

Some pretext, Lee has been a fantastic Islander, captain & community ambassador.  From his first NHL goal against Winnipeg at the Coliseum to the winning goal against the Panthers on March 1st his on ice contributions have been immeasurable.  Off ice, what hes done with charity and his Jam Kancer tournament is just remarkable.

However, with Darche going into year 2 and now Peter DeBoer behind the bench and the collapse the Islanders just went through, changes need to be made and the biggest one that can be made is letting the captain walk and going in a different direction.  

Since Barry Trotz left, this team has just not been good enough.  That has been with Lee as captain, and then this year the collapse following the Olympic break is inexplicable.  Now, all the flaws of the team since Trotz left don't fall on the players, a lot falls on poor roster construction by the previous group in charge.  But things like this years collapse I feel like you have no choice but to look inward at the leadership group in the locker room.

In the end, it will be really weird to see Lee playing somewhere else, but ultimately I think it will be for the best because how are we ever supposed to get better if we just keep retaining the same guys over and over again?