6 possible candidates to be the Islanders' next captain with Anders Lee gone
Islanders left wing Anders Lee and his teammates acknowledge the fans after losing their final game of the season to the Carolina Hurricanes at UBS Arena. Credit: Brad Penner
With Anders Lee, who had been captain since 2018, signing a three-year, $16.2 million deal with the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday, here are some candidates to succeed him this season:
Bo Horvat
He’s been an alternate captain — “A” — since Brock Nelson was traded to the Avalanche at the trade deadline in 2025 and also was the Canucks’ captain from 2019-23.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Probably more of a candidate to wear an “A,” but he’s a well-respected leader in the dressing room and is starting a three-year contract extension.
Kyle Palmieri
The Smithtown product split an “A” with Ryan Pulock last season — home and away —and would be a good bridge captain with one more season on his contract if management wants to give the “C” to Matthew Schaefer soon.
Ryan Pulock
Split an “A” with Kyle Palmieri last season on a home-and-away basis. Quiet leader who honestly speaks his mind.
Matthew Schaefer
He turns 19 on Sept. 5 and eventually will be the captain; he’s already the face of the franchise. But this probably is too soon.
Brayden Schenn
He was in his third season as Blues captain when the Islanders acquired him at last season’s trade deadline. He won a Stanley Cup in St. Louis in 2019.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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