After a strong finish to 2012-13, Bailey signed a five-year, $16.5 million contract that seemed to be a reward for playing well on the two-year, $2.1 million bridge deal he signed just minutes before the start of the 2011-12 training camp.
Instead, this long-term deal has seemed more of a burden. Islanders GM Garth Snow fielded some mild interest in Bailey before the March 5 trade deadline but chose not to sell low on the 24-year-old, who has the fourth-most games played among players in his 2008 draft year.
That may change this summer if there's interest.
My Take: Unless the Islanders get a decent deal or they can sign Vanek, the Isles may give Bailey some more time to prove he can contribute more to this team. One thing is clear, Islanders General Manager Garth Snow will improve this club during the offseason and Bailey's name will probably be in the mix to any kind of trade rumors.
