Anders Lee Opts For Notre Dame

Arthur Staple reported today that promising Isles prospect Anders Lee has informed the team he's staying at Notre Dame for his junior year.   Several fans and those of us in the NYI blogesphere were hoping Lee would bring his offensive skills (17g, 17a in 40 gp) to camp this summer and compete for a roster spot on Long Island.  In November, Lee inspired me to update you on his continued improvement as an Isles prospect.  (http://knightofcups-bondi.blogspot.com/2011/11/anders-lee-dominates-ccha.html)

Why am I even mentioning this?

Well, 2007 Islanders third round selection, Jason Gregoire and 2007 Islanders sixth round selection, Blake Kessel were both coming off strong collegiate seasons when they employed the CBA loop hole and left the Islanders Organization by doing the same thing.

B.D. Gallof said it best.  “Isles fans and brass need to hope that new CBA eliminates the escape clause.”  No one knows if Lee’s plan is to exploit the clause and do what Gregoire or Kessel did, but it is certainly unsettling to think an offensive asset such as Lee, could up and leave the team that drafted him in 2009.

From an entry I made on May,24^th 2012, "Per Chris Botta, the current NHL collective bargaining agreement says a player can entertain all offers as a free agent, even if previously drafted 30 days after leaving school and four years after their original draft date. This strategy was employed by Blake Wheeler after he was drafted 5^th overall in the first round of the 2004 by the Phoenix Coyotes. He later signed with the Boston Bruins in 2008.”  (http://knightofcups-bondi.blogspot.com/2011/05/left-wing-jason-gregoire-third-round.html)

The Islanders have shown with players in the past, that they would prefer a prospect ready for their pro system to play in the ECHL or AHL to better develop their skills than in College or Junior levels.  Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey are good examples of this.