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Islanders' captain Anders Lee faces free agency amid Devils trade implications

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 4, 2026, 12:58 PM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

Islanders' captain Anders Lee faces free agency amid Devils trade implications

Summary

Anders Lee of the New York Islanders is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, as contract negotiations appear stalled. NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reports that Lee's agent met with Islanders GM Mathieu Darche, but both sides remain far apart. The New Jersey Devils’ trade of Ondrej Palat to the Islanders has complicated the salary cap situation, putting pressure on the Islanders’ ability to retain Lee. With $10,684,584 in cap space available, the Islanders may face difficulties if they do not prioritize Lee over recent acquisitions like Palat and Brayden Schenn. This leaves Lee's future uncertain as he prepares to explore the free agent market in a weak class of available players.

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Status Watch

•Anders Lee's contract expires on July 1st, making him a free agent.
•Negotiations between Lee's camp and Islanders management are ongoing but contentious.
•The Islanders' recent trades have affected their available cap space for Lee.
•New Jersey's trade decisions play a role in the Islanders' struggles to retain Lee.
•Lee has been the Islanders' captain since the 2018-19 season.

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