Josh Bailey is 5th in Scoring... (Up to 2nd as of 12/30)

[LordNeverLose]

Well here we are two days past Christmas and Josh Bailey is on pace for 106 points.

With two points today (1+1) he now has 48 in 37.

Kucherov 51
Bailey 48
Tavares 48
McDavid 45
Stamkos 45

 

[boredmale]

It's sort of funny Bailey(and Tavares for that matter) got an assist on Barzal's goal yet he wasn't on the ice



If you notice he was the guy who handed it off to Barzal.

By the way Bailey winning the Art Ross would be hilarious

 

[SI90]

This is getting ridiculous.

 

[dmj616]

Wow, 17 points in his last 9 games. Islanders have lost 5 of those.

 

[Goodbahd]

Bailey doing everything in his power to convince Tavares to stick around.

 

[glovesave_35]

It's very rare to see a player have this kind of jump in production at such a point in their career. 10th season and 28 years old, his career high of 56 points is going to be shattered in short order.

My question to Isles fans and others who have watched him a ton is, how do you explain it? Did you see signs of this coming before this season? He is a former 9th overall pick who looked like he was rushed and just never put it all together. How has he put it all together?

Let's say he finishes this season with 80+ points, which looks more realistic than not at this point. Do you expect him to continue this level of production (or similar) in the future or does this season look like lightning in a bottle rather than an evolutionary step in Bailey's development?

 

[Crazy Cizikas]

It's very rare to see a player have this kind of jump in production at such a point in their career. 10th season and 28 years old, his career high of 56 points is going to be shattered in short order.

My question to Isles fans and others who have watched him a ton is, how do you explain it? Did you see signs of this coming before this season? He is a former 9th overall pick who looked like he was rushed and just never put it all together. How has he put it all together?

Let's say he finishes this season with 80+ points, which looks more realistic than not at this point. Do you expect him to continue this level of production (or similar) in the future or does this season look like lightning in a bottle rather than an evolutionary step in Bailey's development?

He completely changed the way he plays. He used to overthink things which lead to delayed playmaking. Every move was a second behind. Now, he plays on instinct.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

Josh "assist per game" Bailey

 

[MattyW]

My question to Isles fans and others who have watched him a ton is, how do you explain it?

80% John Tavares, 20% Bailey pulling his head out of his *** and playing the way he was always capable of.

Did you see signs of this coming before this season?

He was getting better over the past two seasons but nothing to indicate this type of production.

Do you expect him to continue this level of production (or similar) in the future or does this season look like lightning in a bottle rather than an evolutionary step in Bailey's development?

If he stays with Tavares, maybe he can continue at this level for another year or two. Signing him to a 5+ year deal is buyer beware, especially teams not named the Islanders.

 

[mm11]

Just dont know, I'm waiting for Bailey to go Ice cold for like 20 games and it's not happening. The guy does have some soft hands and is pretty damm patient with the puck. Who the heck knows what is happening

 

[Tripod]

His agent is likely quite happy too. What a time to be a UFA.

 

[wingnutks]

Bailey has always showed signs of amazing skill on and off. Basically this year he is just on all the time. Plus he is shooting a bit more.

 

[severian]

Tavares isn't just getting himself paid this offseason. Bailey should buy JT a boat or something with his next contract.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Heyyyyy Josh Baileyyyyy, I wanna knowwwww, how are you so good now?

 

[Bones45]

Just dont know, I'm waiting for Bailey to go Ice cold for like 20 games and it's not happening. The guy does have some soft hands and is pretty damm patient with the puck. Who the heck knows what is happening

Contract year.. no other explanation needed.

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

Tavares isn't just getting himself paid this offseason. Bailey should buy JT a boat or something with his next contract.

Why would he get him a boat when he could get him a mystery box?

 

[egelband]

As a Ranger fan I have to admit this Isles team is pretty likeable. Good for them. After years of taking shortcuts they seem to have built a good team.

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

As a Ranger fan I have to admit this Isles team is pretty likeable. Good for them. After years of taking shortcuts they seem to have built a good team.

Shortcuts? If anything we took the very, very, VERY long road.

 

[Pure Slaughter Value]

As a Ranger fan I have to admit this Isles team is pretty likeable. Good for them. After years of taking shortcuts they seem to have built a good team.

Except for the defense and goaltending

I'm less worried about the defense (I actually figured there would be a lot of issues with Pelech, Mayfield and Pulock really playing their first season) and there's a bunch of viable prospects almost ready (Toews, Aho, Salo and possible Vende Sompel or Wothershpoon).

It's goaltending that worries me a bunch. A year or two ago there was a glut of quality starters and backups available. Now at the worst possible time for the Isles there isn't.

Re: Bailey. Always been a good two-way player. What was brought up before (overthinking) is probably the answer. He came into the league as a reputation as being a good leader and playmaker. He's only shown glimpses of that before last season. Since then he's been a solid hockey player, though the production is certainly surprising. Should be interesting to see what he's going to sign for, whether with the Isles or not. 5.5 per should be enough but some team might give him more, which would be a mistake (methinks).

 

[John Eichel da GOAT]

How many average players are going to come out of the Islanders system and tank soon after? Moulson, Paranteau, Okposo, Nielson, Streit, Grabner. Now Lee and Bailey.

Eventually hfboards will notice the common denominator and dont give me that crap about different lines for 3% of the games. Anything and everything goes through Tavares and if he was on a decent team/franchise, he could easily be fighting with Crosby for best in the world over the past decade.

 

[egelband]

Shortcuts? If anything we took the very, very, VERY long road.

Haha. Sorry. I just meant the way they played for a while. They had to make-do with castoffs from other teams. So they tried gimmicky defensive systems and stir-the-pot, chip-on-the-shoulder type players.
Now they have some good talent and pride. It shows.

 

[Bones45]

Haha. Sorry. I just meant the way they played for a while. They had to make-do with castoffs from other teams. So they tried gimmicky defensive systems and stir-the-pot, chip-on-the-shoulder type players.
Now they have some good talent and pride. It shows.

Different owners changed entire outlook of team..

 

[Strait2thecup]

It's very rare to see a player have this kind of jump in production at such a point in their career. 10th season and 28 years old, his career high of 56 points is going to be shattered in short order.

My question to Isles fans and others who have watched him a ton is, how do you explain it? Did you see signs of this coming before this season? He is a former 9th overall pick who looked like he was rushed and just never put it all together. How has he put it all together?

Let's say he finishes this season with 80+ points, which looks more realistic than not at this point. Do you expect him to continue this level of production (or similar) in the future or does this season look like lightning in a bottle rather than an evolutionary step in Bailey's development?

He has definitely evolved his game, but I see him as more of a 65 point player after this year if he sticks with Tavares. A lot of this is chemistry but his decision making in the offensive zone is just quicker and more confident. Josh has always been an excellent passer but has never had the confidence to make the ballsy plays. Looks like he’s trying to develop a one timer too now.

Bailey has always been a solid player and everyone saw the potential was there which is why he was so frustrating.

 

[saintunspecified]

How many average players are going to come out of the Islanders system and tank soon after? Moulson, Paranteau, Okposo, Nielson, Streit, Grabner. Now Lee and Bailey.

Eventually hfboards will notice the common denominator and dont give me that crap about different lines for 3% of the games. Anything and everything goes through Tavares and if he was on a decent team/franchise, he could easily be fighting with Crosby for best in the world over the past decade.

This is just an odd post. It's true that PAP and Moulson were Tavares products. Okposo was to a certain extent, but his dropoff has other explanations. But the rest? Nielsen is 33. Streit had some good seasons in PHI until he got old. Grabner is the same inconsistent speedster he ever was.

 

[saintunspecified]

He has definitely evolved his game, but I see him as more of a 65 point player after this year if he sticks with Tavares. A lot of this is chemistry but his decision making in the offensive zone is just quicker and more confident. Josh has always been an excellent passer but has never had the confidence to make the ballsy plays. Looks like he’s trying to develop a one timer too now.

Bailey has benefited a lot from Barzal on the PP too.

If someone pays him much over 6, they're going to regret it.