New York Islanders Veteran Players Fans Want Traded

Josh Bailey

You didn’t think this list wouldn’t include Josh Bailey now did you? We all know that Bailey is the fans number one target to leave. He’s been that player for years now.

Even after Bailey put up career numbers with 56 points in the 2016-17 season, the fans disdain for Bailey hasn’t subsided.

To be fair, when Josh Bailey was drafted ninth overall in 2008 big things were expected. But it took Bailey until the 2016-17 season to break the 50 point plateau.

Fans will point to the fact when Bailey plays with Tavares, he puts up points. And there’s some truth to that. In 2016-17 Bailey played next to Tavares for 81% of his 5on5 minutes. In 2014-15, when Bailey put up his second best points total, 41 points, he was next to Tavares for 65% of his 5on5 minutes.

At the moment, Bailey is at peak value. As in, the second the season starts his value starts to plummet and quickly. That’s because Bailey’s sitting on an expiring $3.3 million deal. After the 2017-18 season, Bailey becomes a UFA.

So, where can he be shopped? I look at the Pittsburgh Penguins. After losing Nick Bonino to the Nashville Predators in free agency they need a third line center. We forget that Bailey is a natural centerman, drafted as a center.

Bailey’s expiring low cap hit allows them the ability to keep the cast together for an improbable third kick at the can. In return, I look at either Adam Johnsson or Zach Aston-Reese, two big name prospects ready for the NHL but unable to crack the Penguins lineup.