LA's most intriguing pick-up this off-season might be a 36-year-old KHL defenseman who's never played an NHL game.
But don't hold that against Chris Lee.
"He’s savvy with the puck. He can calm things down. He’s really good for our power play," said Jon Cooper, who coached Lee on Team Canada at the most recent World Championships. "He knows the subtle plays to make that are safe to help you contain your 3-2 game."
Sean Burke, the national team's general manager, added, “He’s a great skater."
That Lee even represented his country at such a high level of play is a real achievement. Team Canada hasn't dressed a non-NHL player at the World Championships since 2012, when the Everett Silvertips' Ryan Murray wore the maple leaf. The previous year, Adler Mannheim's Mario Scalzo was the last European leaguer to skate for Canada.
Granted, Lee's usage at the World Championships was marginal. The blueliner averaged over 11 minutes a game, and by the medal round, he was used almost exclusively on the power play.
But Lee proved that even at his advanced age, he could skate with the world's best.
For long-time KHL watchers Alessandro Seren Rosso and Patrick Conway, this was no surprise. They've watched Lee dominate over the last four seasons for Metallurg Magnitogorsk, punctuated by a 65-point performance last year. Both believe that he can carve out a role in the NHL.
"Plenty of experience, good skills, and is still mobile in spite of his age," indicated Rosso. "I think he can play in the NHL. Can be a good PP weapon."
Conway took it further. "I think Lee is easily an NHL-calibre puck-moving defenceman, and in fact, may be among the league's better playmaking d-men."
However, Conway cautioned, "It will be on the defensive side of things that he will get exposed if they're not careful.
"I think usage will be the key! Lots of power play time, lots of o-zone starts, and keeping him away from the opponents' big lines should be the strategy with Lee."
Besides his age, that's probably the biggest concern about the 5'11" camp invitee. He's a willing defender, but can be bullied down low, among other things. He's certainly a skater who lives off his skills and smarts.
But if Lee can manage to give Los Angeles solid bottom-pairing minutes and spark the power play, Rob Blake will be thrilled.
There are a wealth of Lee's KHL highlights available online. Here's my favorite:
In this 2013 tilt against HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, Lee (#4) blows by Florida Panthers camp invite Nikolai Belov (#44) and ex-Tampa Bay Lightning Martin Cibak (#8).
In all fairness, there are a number of clips of Lee getting undressed too.
I also re-watched some of Lee's work at the World Championships. He wore #42:
His skating still pops.
Easy first step, accelerates smoothly, as he draws the forechecking Victor Rask (#49) in before exploding past the 24-year-old. Elias Lindholm (#28) and Gabriel Landeskog (#92) converge on Lee in the neutral zone, but the 36-year-old has the presence of mind to slow down and wait for a seam to open up between the 22 and 24-year-olds. He's also counting on Brayden Point (#21) to pick up speed.
The wily vet, having caught the attention of two forwards, threads a backhand pass...but just out of Point's reach.
Save for a couple inches on the dish, this was a wonderful display of Lee's skating, poise, and cleverness. Did I mention that Rask is 24, Lindholm 22, and Landeskog 24?
Here's another example of Lee's superior hockey sense:
This play doesn't look like much, until you realize that Lee creates a rush chance out of thin air. Don't watch the F1 (Sergei Andronov, #11) who's trying to crowd the puck carrier. Instead, watch how the 36-year-old toys with the F2 (Ivan Telegin, #7).
Caught flat-footed, Telegin can't catch up as Giroux gains the zone cleanly and roars in on Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Watching Lee, it's clear that he moves the puck with a plan. Not only can the Kings benefit from this, there's also the potential that they can learn from him too.
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