Islanders sign Josh Bailey to $30 million deal

New York Islanders forward Josh Bailey has been rewarded for a career year with a new $30 million contract.

Josh Bailey has signed a new six-year contract with the Islanders, paying him $5 million per year.

His new contract will keep Bailey in New York through the 2023-24 season.

While the Islanders have not released the terms of the deal, industry insiders have indicated the $30 million value.

Bailey picked a great time to enjoy a career year, and has been rewarded for his excellent form.

"In New York’s official announcement, GM and president Garth Snow said: “Josh has become one of the core members of the New York Islanders.”“He has developed within our system for several years and it’s exciting to see him mature into the player we always had confidence he would become. To come into the past few seasons and see Josh set new career highs each year, has been impressive and we’re excited to see him continue to do that with the organization as we move forward.”"

Drafted by the Islanders ninth overall in the 2008 entry draft, he was originally considered a reach. Some of the players picked after him in the first round included Erik Karlsson, Jordan Eberle and Jake Gardiner.

Still, Bailey made the Islanders roster as a teenager and enjoyed a solid, if unspectacular, start to his NHL career.

Up until a few years ago he was still considered a disappointment for such a high draft pick.

However, in the last couple of years Josh Bailey has taken a huge step forward.

Last season he had a career-high 56 points in 82 games. This season? The 28 year-old has easily eclipsed that total already. So far Bailey has 62 points in 58 games.

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It’s fair to say that Bailey has more than earned his new deal. Next stop for the New York Islanders: trying to sign John Tavares.