"This was never an intention," the left wing who can become an unrestricted free agent July 1 said Saturday. "There hasn't been an agenda or anything like that. I guess that's where we're at. We're right there, so it's just part of the process, I guess.
"I didn't think we'd get to this point. The process hasn't … I haven't enjoyed it, but it is what it is. We want to make sure that everything is done right and it's right for both of us, for both sides. I hope it works out. They're working on it right now."
Lee, who turns 29 on July 3, replaced John Tavares as captain after Tavares signed a seven-year, $77 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2018. Lee's agent, Neil Sheehy, visited the Islanders practice facility several times and had dialogue with general manager Lou Lamoriello over the course of the season, and the two spoke again at Rogers Arena in Vancouver during the 2019 NHL Draft on Saturday.
However, a deal has yet to materialize.
"Lou said it best, 'when you have time, use it,'" said Lee, who had 51 points (28 goals, 23 assists) in 82 regular-season games before helping New York reach the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where he had one goal and three assists in eight games. "It's one of those things that this is the business side of it. Neil and Lou are working on it right now."