Breaking: Standout Canadian from World Championships receiving NHL offers

When KHL veteran Chris Lee was added to team Canada’s roster to replace injured defenseman Tyson Barrie, quite a few eyebrows were raised within the Canadian hockey media. Lee, after all, is a 36 year-old veteran without a single NHL game on his extensive resume. In fact, he was the only member of team Canada to have never played an NHL game. That, however, may soon change.

Lee performed so admirably in the tournament that he earned the compliments of head coach John Cooper who said, “Lee fit. You wouldn’t have thought he wasn’t an NHL player.” It appears that several NHL general managers feel the same way, as Lee has left his KHL club, Mettalurg Magnitogorsk, to pursue options in the NHL.

One review of Lee’s statistics in the KHL and it’s clear to see what makes him so appealing. The veteran was the KHL’s leading point producer amongst blue liners, putting up 15 goals and 65 points in just 60 games. His partner for much of the season was the recently signed Viktor Antipin. With Antipin joining the Buffalo Sabres next season, it’s natural that the rumors have linked Lee to the team, as well.