From Resurgence To Repeat? Anders Lee Back With Adam Oates
Islanders captain Anders Lee turned to Adam Oates’ training in 2024-25 and delivered his best numbers in years. Now, ahead of his age-35 contract season, Lee was back with Oates this summer.
Happy Free Friday, everyone!
New York Islanders captain Anders Lee knew he had to be better after a subpar 2023-24 campaign. Entering his age-33 season, there were questions about how much he had left in the tank. But Lee’s belief in himself never wavered—and what followed was nothing short of a Lee-surgence.
At 34, he produced his best season in years: 29 goals and 25 assists for 54 points. His 29 goals and 54 points were his highest totals since his 40-goal breakout in 2017-18. His 25 assists marked a career high, and he fired a personal-best 233 shots on goal.
So what changed?
A few key adjustments unlocked the version of Lee that earned him his $7 million AAV back in 2019-20. He switched his stick from Bauer to Warrior, revamped his offseason training, and—perhaps most importantly—enrolled in the “Adam Oates School.”
Teammate Bo Horvat, already a student of Oates, played a role in recruiting Lee.
“I kind of pushed it,” Horvat told me during the season. “I’ve been working with Adam for three or four years, and he’s really helped my game in different areas. We were doing drills in practice last year, ones that I did with Oates, and I think Lee liked it.
“He just joined this summer, and it’s been paying off so far. Oates’ training gives us a different way of looking at the game. Anders is one of those guys who just wants to get better, and if you have somebody out there, besides players in the room, to help you get better, why not try it? And I think it’s paid off.”
Oates, a Hall of Fame playmaker turned coach and skills trainer, has worked with countless NHLers to refine the small details that separate good players from great ones.
“Oates was a master of the little things—I saw it firsthand,” my Elmonters partner and former NHL scout David Kolb shared. “Faceoffs and passing, there were few better. He prepped his sticks meticulously with those details in mind, and he was super dependable in his own end.”
Lee’s work with Oates last summer clearly paid dividends, and he has already re-enrolled as he prepares for his age-35 season—a contract year.
The first drill here can be applied in multiple situations: quick off-the-board breakouts, dragging opponents to create space along the walls, or getting pucks deep in the offensive zone. But for Lee, it’s also about quick touches in front of the net—turning low-slot chaos into goals.
That was a major strength in 2024-25 and one of the biggest reasons his production rebounded.
Consider the numbers:
In 2023-24, Lee’s Individual Expected Goals (ixG) was 33.93, but he scored just 20, finishing on only 58.9% of his “chances”.
In 2024-25, his ixG climbed to 38.05, and he buried 29—finishing on 76.2% of his “chances”.
Stats courtesy of NaturalStatrick.com.
That’s a massive swing, especially for a net-front forward in his mid-30s.
Beyond the goals, his skating improved noticeably, as did his ability to win puck battles—direct results of Oates’ training.
Looking ahead to 2025-26, much of the Islanders’ fate hinges on Mathew Barzal’s health, Anthony Duclair’s bounce-back, and Ilya Sorokin’s return to Vezina form behind a stronger defense. Lee’s performance might not headline the list of keys to a playoff push—but it shouldn’t be overlooked.
With Barzal shifting back to center, the Islanders still need to find him the right linemates. If Lee can carry over his sharper skating and finishing touch, he’s a prime candidate to reclaim that spot on Barzal’s wing.
Join Lee and the rest of the squad at the 2025 Jam Kancer in the Kan event on Sept. 13 at Northwell Ice Center. Click HERE to learn more.
