Islanders: Josh Bailey Expectations For 2021 Season

After yet another solid performance and a strong showing in the playoffs for the New York Islanders in 2020, what can we expect from Josh Bailey?

Last year was about exactly what we’ve come to expect from Josh Bailey over the past four seasons with the Islanders. He finished with 43 points in 68 games putting him on pace for 52 points.

That would be four straight seasons with at least 50 points, a massive turnaround for Bailey. By now, you should all know the story.

He had a slow start to his career and was fairly mediocre for the first eight seasons of his career. But in 2016, things changed. Ever since then he’s been putting up 50+ point seasons and has turned into one of their more reliable forwards over that time.

Still, some mouthbreathers will still point to their outdated arguments that are over a half-decade old to prove that he’s not good. Or maybe they’ll point to goal totals (his career-high in a season is 18) as if creating goals for other people, commonly known as assists, don’t matter.

Anyway, I expect more of the same from Bailey in 2021.

2021 Expectations

Expect Josh Bailey to start on the second line with Anthony Beauvillier and Mathew Barzal. Bailey is someone who could honestly probably play on any of the top-three lines for New York but after the success of the Beauvillier – Nelson – Bailey line last year I expect them to run it back.

Over the course of a 56 game season, I’ll say he puts up 38 points (10 goals, 28 assists) that’s a pace of 56 points (15 goals, 41 assists) over an 82 game season.

For his $5 million cap hit, that’s great value that the Isles are getting in return. No, I don’t think he’ll ever reach 70 points again but if he’s giving you 50+ points and reliable middle-six play then you’re golden from him.

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Expect his ice time time to be right around 17 minutes a night and he should be playing a decent amount on the power play as well.