Josh Bailey and the New York Islanders have agreed on a 5 year deal to keep the 23 year old forward with the team. Bailey was the Islanders 1st round pick, 9th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He has spent his entire 5 year NHL career with the Islanders. The move will keep Bailey with the team through their eventual move to the Barclay Centre in Brooklyn.

The deal is reportedly worth $16.5 million, for an annual cap hit of $3.33 million. Bailey was a restricted free agent who earned $1.3 million (pro-rated) last season. His cap hit was $1.05 million. Bailey had filed for salary arbitration last week, but the new contract takes that possibility off the table. He is one of several RFAs to sign deals shortly after making an arbitration filing.

“Josh has become an important member of the young core of the players we have in our dressing room,” Islanders General Manager Garth Snow said. “We’re excited to come to terms with him on a deal that will ensure he is a member of this team as we solidify ourselves as consistent playoff contenders.”

Bailey scored 11 goals and added 8 assists for 19 points in 38 games this season. He finished the season at +7, the best mark of his career. Bailey added 3 assists in 6 games during the Islanders first round playoff series with the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was a bit of a breakout offensively for Bailey, who helped the Islanders reach the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Bailey has scored 58 goals and 81 assists for 139 points in 329 games with the Islanders in his NHL career.

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