During his 15-season career in the National Hockey League (NHL), Josh Bailey knew only the New York Islanders. Despite his fierce loyalty to the organization, he would no longer be on his coach’s or CEO’s agenda.
Shortly after everyone else, Lou Lamoriello held a press conference Tuesday for journalists covering the team. The 80-year-old GM detailed his plan to open up the free-agent market, but may need some space under the salary cap.
Lamoriello wants to find Zach Parisé, Semyon Varlamov, Pierre Engvall and Scott Mayfield next season. The final year of Bailey’s $5 million contract could suffer.
“Loyalty will never stop me from making progress or making the decisions I am responsible for. Never. “In the case of Josh, it looks like this might be the end,” said the head of the hockey department. Josh and I believe that in this situation we have an honest man-to-man relationship and will work with him. We’ll do everything we can to help him, but my priority is what’s best for the team.
If the Islanders want to buy out the 33-year-old forward, the first deadline to do so is 48 hours after the Stanley Cup draw and ends on June 30. The operation would save $2.33 million in 2023–2024, but would penalize them $1.66 million in 2024–2025.
Bailey was drafted ninth overall in 2008 and played 1,057 games for the Islanders, amassing 580 points. He was sometimes left in the press box by head coach Lane Lambert last season, limiting him to 64 games and 25 points. In the playoffs, the Ontario was not used.
Believing he could always be useful to an NHL team, Bailey mentioned during the team briefing that he doesn’t plan to stay in the stands for long. A swap remains possible if the Islanders manage to find a dance partner.