The Minnesota Wild have been connected to several big names ahead of free agency, but one veteran winger who could quietly make sense is Minnesota native Anders Lee.

Lee, who grew up in Edina, has spent his entire 14-year NHL career with the New York Islanders. He has served as the Islanders' captain for the last eight seasons and has become one of the most respected leaders in the league.

Now entering his 15th NHL season, Lee could be looking at one of the bigger decisions of his career.

While he is no longer the 40-goal scorer he was during the 2017-18 season, Lee has remained productive. He has recorded nine 20-goal seasons, including two campaigns with at least 30 goals and has surpassed the 50-point mark five times during his career.

Perhaps even more impressive is his durability.

Lee has appeared in 82 games in three of the last four seasons and played 81 games in the other. At 35 years old, and soon to be 36, he continues to answer the bell every night while providing consistent secondary scoring and leadership.

The Wild have made it clear they want to compete right now. Bill Guerin has repeatedly emphasized the importance of experience and character in the locker room, and Lee checks both boxes.

At 6-foot-3 and over 230 pounds, Lee also brings a physical presence that Minnesota's forward group lacks outside of players like Marcus Foligno and Michael McCarron.

Throughout his career, Lee has made a living around the net, scoring goals in the hard areas and creating traffic in front of opposing goaltenders.

Would signing Lee come with some risk? Absolutely.

Like any veteran entering his late-30s, there is always concern about decline. The Wild would also need to be careful not to overextend themselves on term or salary.

Still, if Minnesota is looking for a veteran winger who can provide leadership, durability, secondary scoring and local ties, Lee could be a player worth monitoring.

Plus, with 38-year-old Mats Zuccarello’s future in Minnesota uncertain, 35-year-old Marcus Johansson returning to Sweden, and 34-year-old Vladimir Tarasenko expected to test free agency, adding a veteran winger like Lee could make sense for the Wild.

He may not be the splashiest name on the market, but he feels like exactly the type of player Guerin has targeted before. And as a Minnesota native nearing the end of a long NHL career, the opportunity to finish his career at home could be appealing for both sides.

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