Player Discussion: Anders Lee

[SLAPSHOT723]

the injury he got last year off the Boychuck slapper could have messed with him, from a psychological and a physical point of view

He was looking bad before that.

 

[PK Cronin]

Ladd has a net presence in PP? Didnt notice that yet! But Ladd has been take out of the 1st PP unit for some games now and was not replace by Lee.

I actually think they should both be on the PP. Ladd is great on the left side, Lee is good in front of the net. The only thing about Lee on the PP is that he's not a great skater or passer, so he's almost not an option to give the puck to down low.

 

[Original Rob]

The guy is worthless in 85% of the ice. Only effective in front of the net and occasionally in the corners. He can't carry the puck or create his own offensive pressure, he relies on the rest of the unit to maintain puck possession and hopefully get something on net. When you're playing with a Nelson and a Chimera and others who also cannot maintain puck possession, a net-front specialist is not going to produce.

 

[Bood12]

he seems to be valued by alot of other teams, maybe consider a trade? of course if he is traded he is going to turn into a consistent 25 goal scorer for the next 10 years..

 

[steveat]

I think Cappy is trying to get Lee to play a bigger more complex game and I just don't think that works for Anders. He plays best keeping his game simple. Let the other guys pass and distribute the puck and he stands in front of the net until someone gets a clear **** and goes for it and he bangs it home.

THAT should be his ONLY game. He's a bit of a clumsy skater (at least from my observation), but at least can keep up with the play.

 

[GrandmaSlices51631]

Lee is getting paid to sign autographs for future Islander prospects.

I applaud any and every humanitarian effort but when a team is sitting dead last and you see press releases of them playing NHL 17' , Playing with Puppies and hanging out with kids it does make you wonder.

How Cappy can botch this is unfathomable. You park Lee up in front of the net plain and simple. You let him work the corners.

You don't send the bouncer of your club to bartend when there is a crowd of belligerent ****s outside.

Has anyone noticed the lack of greasy goals we get? Other teams are scoring goals referred to as "dogs breakfast" , not kidding.

Aside from a Shane Prince or Brock Nelson slot snipe or PP goal, this club is doing nothing offensively.

 

[steveat]

Why is it when I said we should trade Lee that everyone was on my case about him having this one thing no one else has and that he is a better version than Moulson? Personally, if I could pay Moulson the same as Lee, I'd choose MM 10 out of 10 times. MM may have his weaknesses, but he does have a true nose for the net.


Now, people are trying to figure out the best way to get rid of Lee. People change their minds super fast here.

 

[redbull]

Why is it when I said we should trade Lee that everyone was on my case about him having this one thing no one else has and that he is a better version than Moulson? Personally, if I could pay Moulson the same as Lee, I'd choose MM 10 out of 10 times. MM may have his weaknesses, but he does have a true nose for the net.


Now, people are trying to figure out the best way to get rid of Lee. People change their minds super fast here.

Moulson without Tavares is really hard to watch, though he does have 7 goals this year. Lee is only good with Tavares - not sure he should have been paid that much if he can't do anything without him.

What we are maybe underestimating is how much faster the game is today. Even in the last 2-3 years, seems like slower players can't play anymore. Matt Martin looks terrible in TOR, even players like Kadri look slow, Peter Holland scratched, Michalek/Greening/Laich in the AHL and guys who can skate (C.Brown and Mitch Marner especially look outstanding).

Another reason why I'm SHOCKED Barzal wasn't given a longer look. It's bizarre yet I can totally understand why he was focusing on team meetings, practice and watching the game beside JF Berube - clearly I'm not getting the complex thinking Garth/Capuano have goin' on. When the Isles catch fire and make the playoffs - won't we all feel foolish.

Back to Lee, he's not getting to the net and they don't cycle the puck and maintain offensive zone pressure enough. They dump and it's two passes and the opponent is out of the zone - and transition/defense is not Lee's game at all.

Generally, the Islanders are way too slow and play on their heels way too much. Even when games are close, they really aren't - it's just a matter of time until either Halak lets in a weak goal (can't blame Greiss/Berube because they only watch) or they take a bad penalty and their stellar special teams loses the game.

It's a poorly constructed team and with that, a lot of players look worse than they really are. And that includes Tavares who's looking like he's playing short-handed against top players on the other side - especially against good teams (like Tampa/PIT)

 

[PK Cronin]

Why is it when I said we should trade Lee that everyone was on my case about him having this one thing no one else has and that he is a better version than Moulson? Personally, if I could pay Moulson the same as Lee, I'd choose MM 10 out of 10 times. MM may have his weaknesses, but he does have a true nose for the net.


Now, people are trying to figure out the best way to get rid of Lee. People change their minds super fast here.

He has a nose for the net, but I don't think he battles the same way Lee does. The issue with Moulson was that he completely disappeared in the playoffs, and really hurt the team. Lee is more aggressive in the corners and dominates the front of the net, when the team has possession. A lot of people were hoping for his play to translate better for the team come playoff time, I think. I do think Lee is still an overall better player than Moulson, but he's being used improperly (along with just about everyone else). Unfortunately Lee was hurt last year, so we didn't get to see if he'd make a step forward in the playoffs or not. But his playoff resume to date is one that is similar to Moulson, complete poop.

Moulson without Tavares is really hard to watch, though he does have 7 goals this year. Lee is only good with Tavares - not sure he should have been paid that much if he can't do anything without him.

What we are maybe underestimating is how much faster the game is today. Even in the last 2-3 years, seems like slower players can't play anymore. Matt Martin looks terrible in TOR, even players like Kadri look slow, Peter Holland scratched, Michalek/Greening/Laich in the AHL and guys who can skate (C.Brown and Mitch Marner especially look outstanding).

Another reason why I'm SHOCKED Barzal wasn't given a longer look. It's bizarre yet I can totally understand why he was focusing on team meetings, practice and watching the game beside JF Berube - clearly I'm not getting the complex thinking Garth/Capuano have goin' on. When the Isles catch fire and make the playoffs - won't we all feel foolish.

Back to Lee, he's not getting to the net and they don't cycle the puck and maintain offensive zone pressure enough. They dump and it's two passes and the opponent is out of the zone - and transition/defense is not Lee's game at all.

Generally, the Islanders are way too slow and play on their heels way too much. Even when games are close, they really aren't - it's just a matter of time until either Halak lets in a weak goal (can't blame Greiss/Berube because they only watch) or they take a bad penalty and their stellar special teams loses the game.

It's a poorly constructed team and with that, a lot of players look worse than they really are. And that includes Tavares who's looking like he's playing short-handed against top players on the other side - especially against good teams (like Tampa/PIT)

You're absolutely right about the cycling. That was the their bread and butter seasons ago, now they hardly ever even attempt it. I really blame it on that third forward being so damn high in the zone that cripples the chance to get any meaningful cycle going.

I disagree that Lee is only good with Tavares. He played very well on the Kid Line as well. He just needs to be with people who can get shots off and create rebound opportunities for him to cash in on. The fact that he and Ladd are both not on the first PP unit drives me insane. Ladd is a good shooter, Lee is a great net front presence. Let the two of them work down low with Tavares to create opportunities.

 

[redbull]

You're absolutely right about the cycling. That was the their bread and butter seasons ago, now they hardly ever even attempt it. I really blame it on that third forward being so damn high in the zone that cripples the chance to get any meaningful cycle going.

I disagree that Lee is only good with Tavares. He played very well on the Kid Line as well. He just needs to be with people who can get shots off and create rebound opportunities for him to cash in on. The fact that he and Ladd are both not on the first PP unit drives me insane. Ladd is a good shooter, Lee is a great net front presence. Let the two of them work down low with Tavares to create opportunities.

forgot about the kid line, yeah, they were good for a half-season or so, showed lots of promise.
seems like a decade ago.

was listening to the Isles Buzz podcast and they mentioned that out of 56 dump-ins (don't recall the timeframe), they retrieved the puck 3 times, generated one shot. That's not a great cycle and pretty much what our eyes see.

I think a coaching change is the ONLY option for this season. Trades are unrealistic, takes two, but a coaching change can maybe spark something and possibly address things like style of play, special teams, lines/lineup.

 

[hb6947]

Let me preface what I'm about to say with the thought that I think Garf should call up Ho Sang and play him on a line with Ladd and Tavares. Juggle, then keep, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th lines of Lee,Strome, Nelson; Kuli Bailey,Prince/ Beauville; Chimera, Cizikas, Clutterbuck.

If that doesn't help, I would try to package Lee and Dehaan for a quality play making top six.

 

[isleskovalchuk]

Watching Anders Lee play makes me miss Matt Moulson

 

[redbull]

Watching Anders Lee play makes me miss Matt Moulson

Watching Moulson makes me miss Mikko Makela - I remember someone at the time thinking maybe he could replace some of the scoring after Mike Bossy retired.

Moulson is awful.

It's just sad that he has 7 goals (grabs 12) and the Isles can't score at all.

 

[PK Cronin]

forgot about the kid line, yeah, they were good for a half-season or so, showed lots of promise.
seems like a decade ago.

was listening to the Isles Buzz podcast and they mentioned that out of 56 dump-ins (don't recall the timeframe), they retrieved the puck 3 times, generated one shot. That's not a great cycle and pretty much what our eyes see.

I think a coaching change is the ONLY option for this season. Trades are unrealistic, takes two, but a coaching change can maybe spark something and possibly address things like style of play, special teams, lines/lineup.

That's absolutely terribe. Ugh.

 

[ThreeLeftSkates]

When you need to draft up a laundry list of what a player needs surrounding him in order to be successful, that's a sign that said player is one dimensional and likely not very good.

Lee is not that one dimensional, but somehow the "brain trust"(this used to be funnier before this year) remembered how to put Anders in a position to succeed. My bold prediction is that he will sniff 25 goals again. More than once, whether we keep him or not.
Compared to Moulson:
Better skater, higher top speed
More Physical
Backchecks better
Hands not as good, but he has decent shot and tips a lot of pucks
Will carry the puck, no hot potato syndrome.
Better at cycling the puck

 

[Brunomics]

Lee is not a problem on this team. He's the perfect complimentary to a play making center. He puts himself in position to be fed the puck and he finishes. He works his butt off at all the little things out there too.

 

[LeapOnOver]

I was never down about Lee because the efforts always there. I don't think he's one dimensional. He's strong along the boards as well and he's got superb balance. He fits a role like Moulson did and he can still get better. This team has way more problems than Anders Lee (and no i'm not just chiming in because he's recently been productive). His efforts always been there and I feel he was just being used poorly and also trying too hard. Opposite of what this Ladd bum is doing. The guy looks gassed.

 

[A Pointed Stick]

Lee is not a problem on this team. He's the perfect complimentary to a play making center. He puts himself in position to be fed the puck and he finishes. He works his butt off at all the little things out there too.

Except he went silent for much of this season. He woke up what, two weeks ago? He is not Mr. Reliable, and it has been his MO since he arrived here. He is very streaky with long periods of silence.

That said, lets get in a real NHL level coach and see how he utilizes players before deciding players stay or go. I think Gretzky would struggle under Coach Numb Nuts.

 

[LeapOnOver]

Except he went silent for much of this season. He woke up what, two weeks ago? He is not Mr. Reliable, and it has been his MO since he arrived here. He is very streaky with long periods of silence.

That said, lets get in a real NHL level coach and see how he utilizes players before deciding players stay or go. I think Gretzky would struggle under Coach Numb Nuts.

I'm curious how you would define his streakiness? There reason i'm asking is because I'm starting to get a general impression that we can say a lot of our players are streaky and that begs the question...who is at fault? Is Lee streaky because he's always playing with guys like Strome and Nelson who check out on multiple occasions? Why does Lee seem to play his best hockey with Tavares? (probably the least streaky player now on the team). I'm really starting to consider that it's only a few rotten apples spoiling the bunch tbh. Not really something easily to define unless, like you said, we bring in a coach who can motivate everyone or....we excise the fat. I happen to think Lee might not be that streaky and it's just the unfortunate situation the front office has put the team in. That's my two cents.

 

[isles31]

Except he went silent for much of this season. He woke up what, two weeks ago? He is not Mr. Reliable, and it has been his MO since he arrived here. He is very streaky with long periods of silence.
.

Well, in all fairness to Anders, he missed a ton of time with a broken leg. That doesn't mean you go to camp the next season and you're back in game shape and trusting that leg. Lee is a different player the past 2-3 weeks than the previous month.

 

[A Pointed Stick]

I'm curious how you would define his streakiness? There reason i'm asking is because I'm starting to get a general impression that we can say a lot of our players are streaky and that begs the question...who is at fault? Is Lee streaky because he's always playing with guys like Strome and Nelson who check out on multiple occasions? Why does Lee seem to play his best hockey with Tavares? (probably the least streaky player now on the team). I'm really starting to consider that it's only a few rotten apples spoiling the bunch tbh. Not really something easily to define unless, like you said, we bring in a coach who can motivate everyone or....we excise the fat. I happen to think Lee might not be that streaky and it's just the unfortunate situation the front office has put the team in. That's my two cents.

Welcome to the club. We have a large number of niche players and depth players. But I would still like to see the club play under a new coaching staff.

 

[nyscene]

Lee right now is the only player on this team pulling his weight.

That said, someone we're going to end up screwing up and lose him to LV

 

[Rhino1985]

Moulson without Tavares is really hard to watch, though he does have 7 goals this year. Lee is only good with Tavares - not sure he should have been paid that much if he can't do anything without him.

What we are maybe underestimating is how much faster the game is today. Even in the last 2-3 years, seems like slower players can't play anymore. Matt Martin looks terrible in TOR, even players like Kadri look slow, Peter Holland scratched, Michalek/Greening/Laich in the AHL and guys who can skate (C.Brown and Mitch Marner especially look outstanding).

Another reason why I'm SHOCKED Barzal wasn't given a longer look. It's bizarre yet I can totally understand why he was focusing on team meetings, practice and watching the game beside JF Berube - clearly I'm not getting the complex thinking Garth/Capuano have goin' on. When the Isles catch fire and make the playoffs - won't we all feel foolish.

Back to Lee, he's not getting to the net and they don't cycle the puck and maintain offensive zone pressure enough. They dump and it's two passes and the opponent is out of the zone - and transition/defense is not Lee's game at all.

Generally, the Islanders are way too slow and play on their heels way too much. Even when games are close, they really aren't - it's just a matter of time until either Halak lets in a weak goal (can't blame Greiss/Berube because they only watch) or they take a bad penalty and their stellar special teams loses the game.

It's a poorly constructed team and with that, a lot of players look worse than they really are. And that includes Tavares who's looking like he's playing short-handed against top players on the other side - especially against good teams (like Tampa/PIT)

I disagree. Lee had a great run with Strome and Nelson 2 seasons ago and also woke up this year while playing with Clutter and Cizikas.

 

[BTrotts19]

Anders Lee plays best when he plays with guys who shoot--either from the defense or one of our perimeter forwards so he can use his hand/eye coordination to deflect shots or clean up the rebounds. That's his game, not a dangler, not a fluid skater who scores off the rush. Playing him with guys who just pass it around the perimeter into the inevitable turnover makes it look like he disappears when in fact, he can maintain control in one-on-one battles along the boards (another rarity on this team) and he gets whacked and abused in front of the net as the guys play catch along the perimeter.

I know he isn't a favorite of people who want "create his own offense" type players but he really is the only guy who can consistently mop up the dirty goals. Simple but nobody else on this team does it so I gotta believe there is a low probability of him not being protected this summer.

 

[A Pointed Stick]

Well, in all fairness to Anders, he missed a ton of time with a broken leg. That doesn't mean you go to camp the next season and you're back in game shape and trusting that leg. Lee is a different player the past 2-3 weeks than the previous month.

True, but he is streaky. I think that is a fair word to describe him with. Maybe even, very streaky to the point of frustrating because when he isn't scoring, he is commonly invisible and useless.