The Islanders’ Free Agency Moves
The Islanders made several depth signings on the first day of free agency, notably losing captain Anders Lee to Utah on a three-year deal after he was offered only a short-term contract. General Manager Mathieu Darche focused on flexibility, securing one-year deals for depth players including goalie Vitek Vanicek, defenseman Matthew Kessel, and forwards Matias Maccelli and Mitchel Chaffee. With Lee’s departure, veteran leadership will likely shift to Bo Horvat and Brayden Schenn. The organization is also preparing for prospect camp while reflecting on Lee’s significant contributions.
