When Anders Lee signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with the New York Islanders in July 2019, it was a move to keep the captain and one of the league’s premier net-front presences on Long Island for the long haul. The deal was viewed as too long and too much (what deals aren't?), and there were immediate concerns that the contract would age poorly as Lee played into his mid-30s.
Now entering the final season of the deal, it’s a good time to evaluate how it has played out.
Lee’s contract carried expectations of consistency, leadership, and offensive punch.