• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle NHL
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • THW Archives
  • More…
    • Columns
    • NWHL
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle NHL
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • THW Archives
  • More…
    • Columns
    • NWHL
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Nashville Predators

Islanders Lee Making Case for Rookie of the Year

By Scott Clinco February 9th, 2015

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Islanders fans have always been high on Anders Lee and he didn’t let them down as he scored his first NHL goal on his first shot in the NHL back in the 2012/2013 season.

The following season Lee went to Bridgeport to fine tune his game and he did that in spades.  If Lee had spent the entire season in Bridgeport he would’ve shattered the team record for goals by a rookie set by his teammate Brock Nelson, but due to time spent with the Islanders he missed out on that.  This year, Lee is showing that the Islanders patience with him paid off as he is currently third in the NHL in goals among rookies with 16 and second on the Islanders in goals behind just John Tavares.  With his performance to this point, Lee is putting himself in the conversation for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie.

God, Anders Lee strides ahead of Brock Nelson & Ryan Strome for that young group. Rookie Of the Year award better consider Lee in the race

— david roth (@silverfoxroth) February 8, 2015

Clutch Scoring

While his goal total is impressive in it of itself for a player in their first full NHL season, the importance of the goals is something to behold as well.  Of Lee’s 16 goals on the season, five of them have been of the game winning variety.  While he doesn’t always pop up in the score sheet, stats like that prove how much of an impact he has had on the Islanders this season.  While he is still early in his NHL career, early signs are that he is going to be someone who excels when things are on the line.  With the Islanders looking like they will be a playoff team this season, it will be interesting to see how Lee adjusts.  Like I said above, he has been someone who has excelled in big moments of games to this point, but he has yet to be part of the playoffs which are an entire different ballgame.

30 Goals? 

Although it feels like we have been talking about Lee for a while, he has played in just 71 games in his NHL career.  In those 71 games he has 26 goals which puts him on pace for a 30 goal season for 82 games.  Lee’s ability in front of the net has been instrumental in his success.  No matter if he is tipping pucks home which he has become really good at, or if he is cleaning up dirty goals, the area in front of the net has become Lee’s office as some would say.  If Lee is able to consistently put up stats like that, he will have a pretty lengthy career in this league with most of it likely being part of the orange and blue, I would think.  As he continues to mature, I believe this is realistic to expect from Lee, especially if the spot next to John Tavares becomes his on a permanent basis.

View image | gettyimages.com

Is Lee Your Rookie of the Year?

At this point, I would say probably not.  Barring injuries, I think Filip Forsberg on the Nashville Predators will take home the award.  However, it would be wrong if Lee wasn’t a finalist, along with Forsberg and probably Mike Hoffman from the Ottawa Senators.  Lee’s play and importance to the Islanders has definitely made him deserving of that recognition.

  • Tags
  • Anders Lee
  • Filip Forsberg
  • Mike Hoffman
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Facebook Comments

Editor’s Picks
Martin St. Louis, the Little Big Man

Martin St. Louis, the Little Big Man

9057
'Mr. Hockey' Gordie Howe

'Mr. Hockey' Gordie Howe

9578
Recent Posts
Dec 7th 9:35 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ 2019 Draft Class Update

Dec 7th 9:20 AM
Long Read

2020 WJC Team Slovakia Preview

Dec 7th 9:05 AM
Commentary

9 Potential Trading Partners for Taylor Hall

Dec 7th 8:50 AM
Boston Bruins

THW’s Goalie News: Jarry Flawless Again, Cheevers Born, and More

Dec 7th 8:35 AM
Prospects

2020 WJC Team Czech Republic Preview

Dec 7th 1:00 AM
Anaheim Ducks

Vrana’s Goal Gives Capitals 3-2 Victory over Ducks

Dec 6th 11:45 PM
Chicago Blackhawks

Dach Scores Shootout Winner, Blackhawks Beat Devils 2-1

Dec 6th 11:35 PM
Montreal Canadiens

Thompson Scores Late in 3rd, Canadiens Beat Rangers 2-1

Dec 6th 11:25 PM
Arizona Coyotes

Penguins Ride Jarry to 2-0 Win over Coyotes in Kessel’s Return

Dec 6th 5:50 PM
Edmonton Oilers

3 Worries Clouding the Oilers’ Success

Stay in Touch
Contact Us

Via our Newsletters
RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Our Partners
HFBoards

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

Join over 18 000 Subscribers of our free bi-weekly Newsletter.

© The Hockey Writers 2018. All rights reserved.
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • Atlantic Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Metropolitan Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Dallas Stars
    • Minnesota Wild
    • Nashville Predators
    • St Louis Blues
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • Pacific Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle NHL
    • Vegas Golden Knights
    • Vancouver Canucks
  • Store
  • The THW Archives
  • Prospects
  • The Goalie Page
  • NHL Salary Cap Information
  • Join Our Team
  • Search THW