The New York Islanders face a critical decision as Anders Lee’s future hangs in the balance. With less than a month until the NHL trade deadline, will the team trade their captain, re-sign him, or risk losing him for nothing? Lee’s declining production, expiring $7M contract, and leadership role spark debates about his value and impact on the Islanders’ playoff push. Is Bo Horvat ready to step up as the next captain, or will Lee get a short-term deal?
Gil Martin breaks down the Islanders’ playoff outlook, the ongoing power play struggles centered around Matthew Barzal, and the challenges posed by a compressed Olympic schedule. The mailbag features passionate fan questions on zone entry tactics, while player quotes and coaching perspectives highlight the physical and mental grind. Plus, a spotlight on Sean Bergenheim’s memorable hat trick and upcoming prospects news. Will the Islanders build toward true Stanley Cup contention—or cling to familiar faces?
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
QuoMake this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away.Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go tohttp://Quo.com/lockedonnhl.
FactorHead to http://factormeals.com/lockedonnhl50off and use code lockedonnhl50off to get 50% off and free breakfast for a year.
IndeedNow, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/lockedon right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuelThe Winter Games are on. And there’s no better way to follow them than with a bet on FanDuel. FanDuel – Play your game.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOIslanders?sid=YouTube
Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL
And follow the show and Gil Martin on Twitter where he’ll share the latest news on your New York Islanders and will talk with fans like you.
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/LockedOnIsles
and https://twitter.com/icewarsnyrvsnyi
#Islanders #NYIslanders #NHL
20 Comments
TRADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
period the end, the islanders are not trading anders lee, our captain, at the deadline, when we are in a playoff spot…i would let him finish out this year…offer him one year deal at 3-4 mil next year, maybe two max, if he wants to go out to seek more then bye bye..that's on him. if he wants to retire an islander captain, then great . if not what did we lose a 3rd round pick maybe….oh well
Send to NJ for Hamilton and give Nj Degelo
Time to move Lee was a year ago when his trade value was never going to be higher.
He has not been good this year not even in a physical Captain role (front of net). I don’t think he will be able to flip a switch for the playoffs. Bundle him with a pick and get a sniper which we need. Make BO the cap. And let’s move on to the future.
The real question here is if GMs hands are tied by management. Isles seem to be a loyal org. & may not want to trade the Cap.
Good morning team! Gil, I have a few thoughts about this one. My first choice is definitely trading Lee and seeing what we can get for him. If we can get younger, then why not? If we don't pull this trigger now, we may lose what we can get for him. I don't think we'll get a 2nd rounder for him. More likely it will be a 3rd rounder. I certainly don't want to get nothing for him. My second choice, and this is my least favorite of the 2 choices, we keep him and resign him, but only for one year. I really don't believe he is worth more than just one more year to us. The majority of the comments say trade, I guess I'm also in that class as well. As a side note, I'm very much enjoying women's US Olympic hockey play. I have to get my hockey fix from somewhere. Looking forward to the men's tournament staring tomorrow. Everyone, have a great day! See you all again tomorrow. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
TRADE!!!!! and thank you Anders for all your years of loyalty….
I don't think Lee's value is that high right now; at most, he's worth a third-round pick.
I would offer him around $2 million to ensure he retires as an Islander.
We complain about the entire situation with 91, yet we're considering trading our Captain just because he's getting older.
Ders has been a great Islander, i dont think anyone can debate that. With that said, his time has to be up. If somehow you can get a 2nd, you must take that and you must move on from him. He doesnt provide the net front goals, and that is his main attribute.
The time to move on from Anders Lee was when scooby lou entered the picture, almost seven years ago, and made the grave mistake of naming Lee captain and then gifting him an undeserving 7 year contract at seven million dollars a year. He should have been allowed to walk so that that money would have been better used, and the official rebuild could have started. Same thing with Nelson, at that time. We had just lost the snake, and it would have been better to start fresh with a new GM and coach, in order to lay the ground work for future success. Unfortunately, many in Islanders country, including the ownership have no patience whatsoever. If Darche is smart, he won't move any of our first and second round 2026 NHL draft picks, and ride out the end of the season, and possibly with a playoff appearance, going with our current roster. He made his bed, now let him lie in it with Drouin, Duclair, Maclean, etc. Gil, what's your opinion of Shabby this season? Could he be a legitimate second line player? Or does his future lie in being a third/fourth line winger? He has speed, lacks, size, and in my opinion gives 100% every shift. What say you?
Good 🌅, Gil. How are you? Before I begin, I just found out that my father passed away today.
He was a big Islander fan. I'll never forget how 😊 crazy he went when Bob Nystrom scored his STANLEY 🏆 WINNING GOAL. Matheiu Darche has to make a decision to keep or trade Anders Lee. Our Islanders still need to work on their PP. Hear from you later, Gil, but before I go, I couldn't do any comparisons, but I should have something for you tomorrow. Now, LGI🏒🔵🍊
Thanks for another great video, I would rather keep Lee and then let him test free agency. He's been the captain for too long, and I may be a mush about it, but I don't believe in dumping players that gave us everything they had. He has no real trade value anyway, he's more valuable to the locker room here. I may be wrong, but keep him and let him finish the season, and then if he gets a better offer let him go.
I can’t believe anyone would even bring this up. One person said last year was the time. That seems to make sense .
Trade.
Trade him
Anders Lee should be traded but realistically, you're going to get very little for him and Darche doesn't have the stomach to trade him anyway. The reality is, Anders Lee will be resigned to a two or three year deal worth $4.5 million per year
Pretty complete analysis of Lee's situation with the team. I think this is a point in time where you have to put sentiment aside and do the "business" of the NY Islanders. If there is a deal to be made, it is time to trade Lee. That is what's best for the team.
I’m curious to know what Lee wants. I’d say make it clear right now that he’s only going to get a very team friendly contract, only for 1 year and his ice time could drop significantly depending on his performance. See what he wants to do after this season. Maybe there is a team he’d like to play for or perhaps he’s ready to retire because he wants to retire as an Islander. Maybe only offer him a try out contract in the preseason and then maybe he plays like Martin did in his final year. I think it’s vital for Darche to express his plans for Lee for next season, and give Lee an option to exercise his options for the future. I’d rather not lose him in Free Agency, but like you said he’s probably not going to bring in much on trade block anyway.
I don’t normally think this is wise but Lee should finish out the year then give him a two year 3 million a year deal and he plays third line
I leave it to Anders. He deserves that much. You're not getting that much in return. If he signs a team friendly deal.. good with that.