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Carolina Hurricanes: Top 5 Free Agents That The Hurricanes Should Pursue

By Matthew Nidiffer

RALEIGH, NC - MAY 03: Head coach Rod Brind'Amour of the Carolina Hurricanes makes remarks to the press following a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders in Game Four of Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 3, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - MAY 03: Head coach Rod Brind'Amour of the Carolina Hurricanes makes remarks to the press following a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders in Game Four of Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 3, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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UNIONDALE, NY – MARCH 24: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders skates against the Arizona Coyotes at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on March 24, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. New York Islanders defeated the Arizona Coyotes 2-0 (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NY – MARCH 24: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders skates against the Arizona Coyotes at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on March 24, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. New York Islanders defeated the Arizona Coyotes 2-0 (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Anders Lee

Anders Lee was long considered by many pundits around the league to be riding in John Tavares‘ wake. This season and postseason, Lee put those suggestions right to bed. Lee has been an absolute stud for the Islanders, putting up three consecutive 50-point seasons.

Lee led the Islanders in goals, shots, and game-winning goals during the 2018-19 regular season. He registered 28 goals and 23 assists for a combined 51 points in 82 games played, which would fit him right in with the Hurricanes’ ‘ironmen’ (players who played all 82 games).

Lee is also an absolute stud on the powerplay, registering 4th-most in points on the powerplay for the Islanders. Lee is unlikely to leave the Islanders, but crazier things have happened. Tavares departed the team in favor of the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer, which caused Lee to inherit the captaincy.

Lee would pair perfectly with players like Jordan Martinook, Warren Foegele, and even Justin Williams (if Captain Clutch decides to re-sign). Lee also brings a veteran leadership presence that the Hurricanes would welcome with open arms if Williams does indeed decide to hang up the skates.

The Islanders’ captain could easily fetch north of $5mil AAV in a multi-year deal, but his cap hit last season was $3.75mil. Lee is absolutely worth a look by Hurricanes’ GM Don Waddell.

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