Rather wait till Lee contract runs out

That is probably a little to much to dump Lee. I think you would need to include the Dallas 2nd or something like Donato Entwistle is basically an AHL player at this point (or NHL on a craptacular team like the Hawks the past couple of years)

Quite far fetched

I don't see how people keep saying this about Lee. What am I missing? The cost to dump 14 mil in cap is easily a first. He only got 37 points last season. He has a 15 team NTC. Why would the hawks give NYI a discount by sending them a 2nd or Donato?

While he had an off year, it was not THAT bad and he is not a completely useless player where his entire contract should be considered a dump. Put it this way, if Lee were a UFA I suspect he could command a contract in the 3-4 million range with the trick being is someone willing to give him that 2nd year. Hell....we just gave an older 37 point player 4.5x 2 years. Cost to dump Lee should be a late 1st or pair of 2nds and the Isles may chose to keep him