3 Islanders That May Not Be Back for the 2023-24 Season

Josh Bailey

It doesn’t need to be said, but Josh Bailey has been one of the more polarizing players among Islanders fans in his 15 year career. Throughout it all, Bailey has endeared himself to many fans (including having his own song), while others couldn’t wait to kick him out the door. Well, the latter finally may get their wish.

2022-23 wasn't easy for the veteran. While he reached 1000 games, an accomplishment any hockey player strives for, he was healthy scratched more than ever in his career this season. It seemed as if the writing was on the wall for Bailey, by also sitting in the press box during all six playoff games.

He even stated himself that he doesn’t know what is going to happen in the future. “I’ve always thought of myself as an Islander and wanted to play my last game as an Islander,” Bailey told reporters on clean out day. “Who knows what it holds now? It’s a lot to take in for my family and I, but it’s part of the business and I understand that. I’m not playing any ‘poor me’ cards by any means. It’s just a lot.”

In his recent interview with the media, Lou Lamoriello was as open as he’s ever been in his Islanders tenure about Bailey’s situation, “In Josh's case, it looks like, maybe it's near the end here." While it shouldn’t be a surprise to Islanders fans that we most likely have seen the end of the Josh Bailey era, it’s definitely a shock to see Lamoriello so candid regarding a player. 

His $5 million dollar contract has been hard to move in years past. However, now that it’s expiring, perhaps it can be more enticing for teams. The Islanders can also buy him out, which won’t cause much damage, only $3.8 million over the course of the next two years. Whatever happens, we may have seen the last of Josh Bailey on the Island.