Posted - 05/13/2014 : 12:38:54 This week The Journey is going to take a look at Islanders prospect Anders Lee.
Rights: NY Islanders Drafted in the 6th round (152nd overall) in the 2009 NHL entry Draft LW, 6-3, 227lbs Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Introducing Anders Anders Lee; it’s a name some probably still haven’t heard of. That won’t be the case for long as this 23-year-old continues to defy public opinion and has played his way into a top six role with the Isles. He is a big aggressive winger with a quick, accurate shot who likes to get his nose dirty and is strong down the boards as well as in front of the net. Lee just finished the second year of a two-year entry-level deal and is an RFA in July.
Lee on the Rise Lee was a standout right from high school as he put up 179 points in 99 games before being drafted by the Islanders and then joining Green Bay of the USHL. He scored 66 points in 59 games there and then went on to star for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the NCAA. He had 116 points in 125 games for the Irish while playing center and was an All-American in his final year before joining the Islanders for the end of the 2012-13 season. He appeared in two regular season games scoring in his first NHL game and ending the year with two points in two games.
Lee joined the Islanders farm team in Bridgeport for the start of the 2013-14 schedule and played an important part of a dominant first line that also included center Ryan Strome. Proving to be a dynamic force, “The General Lee” posted 41 points in 54 games before being summoned to the parent Isles who were decimated by injuries. He started on the third line but would work his way into a first line role following the trade deadline in part due to Vanek being traded but also in part to his dominant and impressive play as a rookie. Lee ended up with 14 points including nine goals in 22 games and proved reliable on both sides of the puck finishing with a plus-3.
He’s fills out his 6 foot 3 inch frame well at nearly 230 pounds and is very strong along the boards. Also bringing his value to a higher level is Lee’s willingness to go to the dirty areas and compete for rebounds in front of the goal. He is exactly the type of player the Islanders need going forward and will form an intricate piece of what is looking like a promising NY team for the coming season.
Fantasy Lee Lee is someone who is probably still available in your league. In fact he is only owned in five percent of ESPN leagues. Dependant on the scoring structure you play under, he could be very valuable. In my keeper he was averaging 2.4 PPG and still flying under the radar. Don’t wait, go get him! With the coming season looking promising for the Islanders, Lee should slot into a top-six role. Of course it depends what Garth Snow does about his top line left wing position. If he brings in a player it may push Lee down to the third line because Isles rookie of the year Brock Nelson would slide in front of him, at least for now. Top line players aren’t exactly a dime a dozen so expect Lee to be in the running for the top six. He has the size, skill and determination to be a 45-55 point threat this coming year given decent minutes. Monitor what happens with the coaching situation as Capuano didn’t exactly jump at the opportunity to have Lee playing big minutes, a miss-step in the opinion of many Isles faithful and writers alike. Either way, if you have room, Lee is definitely worth an offseason add if for nothing more than to see where he shakes out during camp and into the start of the season. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
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Posted - 05/14/2014 : 06:28:40 Appreciate this heads up, will remember the name.
All hail Canada`s team the Montreal Canadiens our hope for a Stanley Cup to come home to Canada is 2014! Keep Calm and Carey on!
