NY Islanders position on expiring contracts changing based on season's success

Montreal Canadiens v New York Islanders | Mike Stobe/GettyImagesNot long ago, the conversation around Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau felt pretty straightforward. Expiring contracts. New general manager. Tight cap picture. If the New York Islanders drifted out of the race, both veterans looked like logical trade candidates come spring.

Fast forward to now, and that narrative is starting to flip.

Under new GM Mathieu Darche, the Islanders entered this season with patience as the guiding principle. Darche has been clear that this year is about evaluation, not rushing to judgment. Lee and Pageau knew that going in — and instead of pressing for answers, both have gone out and played the kind…