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Islanders Josh Bailey Moves To 5th All-Time In Games Played

By Matt O'Leary
DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 17: Josh Bailey #12 of the New York Islanders plays the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on December 17, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 17: Josh Bailey #12 of the New York Islanders plays the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on December 17, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Tonight was Josh Bailey’s 815th game with the New York Islanders. He is now in fifth place in games played in team history.

In 1984-1985, Bob Bourne moved into fifth place in team history with 814 games with the New York Islanders. For 34 years no one passed Bob Bourne in games played, that is until Josh Bailey did it tonight.

Today’s game against the Flyers was Bailey’s 815th career game, all with the New York Islanders which means he moved into sole possession of fifth place. He is just 308 games away from Bryan Trottier who is currently the franchise leader in games played.

With four years remaining on his contract after this year, he has a good chance of reaching the all-time lead if he is able to remain healthy. He needs to average 62 games a year over the remainder of his contract to become first all-time, it’s definitely possible.

His Islander career has been extremely unique. He was drafted ninth overall in 2008, and played right away (probably a mistake). He had just 25 points his first year as a 19-year-old and then averaged 32 points a year over the next three seasons.

Up until his age 26 season, a 32 point year in 2015-2016, he was a major disappointment for a top-10 pick. That all changed in 2016-2017.

He started the year on fire, and he was probably the best Islander forward for the first two months of the year. He finished with 56 points (13 goals, 43 assists) and the Lee – Tavares – Bailey line that was so productive for two years was born.

That was just a fluke though, the haters said, and then he put up a whopping 71 points and played in the All-Star game. By now, the narrative around Josh Bailey had completely changed. The whipping boy became a fan favorite, well at least for the rational fans.

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Last year he put up 56 points, and he’s off to a nice start again this year. We’ve now got four straight years of good Josh Bailey and I am here for it. In 15 years, we might see number 12 in the rafters. Especially if he gets up to first overall and gets a ring on his finger before he hangs up the skates.

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