Islanders' Lee laments contract situation but remains hopeful

Anders Lee expected to have a new contract with the New York Islanders by now, but he's still cautiously optimistic that a deal will get done.

"I didn't think we'd get to this point," New York's captain told NHL.com's Brian Compton on Saturday. "The process hasn't " I haven't enjoyed it, but it is what it is. We want to make sure that everything is done right and it's right for both of us, for both sides. I hope it works out. They're working on it right now."

The pending unrestricted free agent said it was "never an intention" to reach the UFA negotiating period - which began Sunday - without an agreement, but he was also careful when characterizing his feelings about the negotiations.

"I wouldn't say (I'm) upset; I don't think that's the right (word)," Lee said.

Meanwhile, the forward's agent, Neil Sheehy, and Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello spoke at the draft in Vancouver after conversing over the course of the season, according to Compton.

"We had said (from) Day 1 we wanted all of our free agents back," Lamoriello said Thursday. "Fortunately, two are back, and it's our job to try and get the other two back."

The Islanders signed Brock Nelson to a new contract in May and inked Jordan Eberle to a deal earlier this month, but Lee and goaltender Robin Lehner remain unsigned.

Lee, who'll turn 29 on July 3, is coming off a four-year, $15-million contract he signed with New York in 2015.

He was the team's leading scorer with 28 goals in 2018-19 - a number he's averaged over his five full NHL campaigns, all spent with the Islanders, which included 102 across the last three seasons.

New York gave Lee the "C" in October after former captain John Tavares signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer. The Islanders drafted Lee with the 152nd overall pick in 2009.

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