New York Islanders: Extended or not, respect for Anders Lee never in doubt
Potential fallout
So, if he walks, there is a specific scenario where both Lee and the Islanders win. He could get his money, and the Islanders could re-sign a few more players because of it. While I am not saying any of this will happen, I am just one writer with an opinion and reading the writing on the wall; I am just embracing for that scenario.
The big difference is that Lee was accepted by this new regime and never bailed on it. They didn’t bail on him at the deadline and kept him around when the Islanders were indeed a great team who couldn’t be interrupted.
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There is a realistic scenario where Lee stays, gets his money, and the Isles keep their captain and go from there. But as the days count down to free agency, there is also a scenario where the Islanders lose Lee, follow someone else, and get goal scoring by other means.
In both scenarios, respect from the New York Islanders to Lee and Lee to the Islanders never wavered. Keeping him might not be the best move for the team, and him staying might not be the best move for him.
Either way, it is time to have a better mindset about things this time around. The Islanders are not in a worse spot if he leaves, and the future will remain bright. It is not much different from Tavares departure. The Isles won in 2018-19 despite losing their top scorer the previous summer. In theory, this is a similar circumstance.
But one thing is for sure, and there is not as much dysfunction and negativity surrounding the Islanders right now. Lee played a role in that no matter how the next chapter of his career unfolds.
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Again, I’d prefer the Isles pay him, and he stays, maybe I’m just loyal. But one thing is for sure, and it was never about not respecting Anders Lee and all he has done for this franchise. All involved parties seem to respect each other. I don’t think that will ever change. Only time will tell what happens next…I hope the Minnesota native doesn’t own North Stars/Wild Pajamas or something.