"Lee and Pageau knew that going in - and instead of pressing for answers, both have gone out and played the kind of hockey that makes those answers harder to ignore. Darche said it himself on Wednesday: "They've both played really well for us this year," Darche told the DFO Rundown Insider Edition podcast. And that's the key line Islanders fans should circle."
"Lee, at 35, still looks every bit like a captain who understands how to survive an 82-game grind. He's not the same player he was at 27 - but his net-front presence, leadership, and ability to score timely goals still matter, especially on a team that leans on structure and detail. Pageau, 33, has arguably strengthened his case even more. He remains one of the Islanders' most trusted two-way centers, reliable in defensive situations, strong on faceoffs, and quietly effective when games tighten up."
Under new general manager Mathieu Darche, the Islanders prioritized patience and evaluation this season. Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau responded by playing at a high level, making trade decisions less clear-cut. Both players have been tone-setters: Lee provides net-front presence, leadership, and timely goals despite age; Pageau remains a reliable two-way center, strong on faceoffs and defense. The team sits second in the Metro with young core players stabilized by veteran contributions. Ownership support and roster flexibility reduce pressure to trade; retention of Lee and Pageau is becoming a likely offseason consideration if their play continues.
Read at Eyes On Isles
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