If you found the news of our new captain surprising, your missing some background information.
Anders Lee has a foundation called Kancer Jam where he plays Kan-Jam (frisbee game) with fans and other Islander players. The money raised goes to curing cancer. This wonderful gesture definitely helped in his campaign to captaincy.
Also, Anders Lee is a UFA after this season, so making him captain is a huge bargaining chip for his extension.
Nevertheless, this was a great decision to make Lee captain.