WHERE IN THE WORLD (JC) IS JOSHUA BAILEY?
Right now he’s in Pittsburgh, so there goes that
It’s 11:00. Do you know where Josh Bailey is?
He’s in Pittsburgh.
Training camp for Team Canada’s entry at this year’s World Junior Championships in Ottawa opens on Thursday, but it does not look like Bailey will be there.
There were rumblings late this afternoon (pb-2) that Islanders management was weighing the pros and cons of their 2008 first round pick playing pressure-packed hockey at the World Junior Championships in his homeland. If Bailey was going, he likely would have bolted Pittsburgh by now. Although calls to the Islanders tonight have yet to be returned, we can confirm he’s in Pitt.
In a post yesterday, we wrote that the WJC would be an invaluable experience, far more crucial to his development than playing the next 13 games with the 10-16-2 Islanders. In a poll of Point Blank readers, 41 fans were in favor of the Islanders sending Bailey to Team Canada and 9 were against. After the Islanders lost in Philadelphia last night, more votes were tallied in favor of Bailey taking a leave from the NHL.
If Bailey does not go, the final decision will likely be summed up by Garth Snow’s declaration to Greg Logan two weeks ago that once the team committed to the youngster past 9 games, “He’s an Islander.”
If you would like to rip us for not giving up on our personal crusades too easily, or would just like to react to this article, please do so in Comments.
39 Responses to “WHERE IN THE WORLD (JC) IS JOSHUA BAILEY?
Right now he’s in Pittsburgh, so there goes that”
Please Wait
Poor decision on the Islanders part. Why not let him get the experience of playing in a pressure filled game everynight against the best players his age. Plus playing top two line minutes and pp and pk time. Just a bad choice by the Islanders
Keep him up. Him and Comeau are the only reason i tune in anymore. You can throw Fritzy in there as well.
I wonder if he were american born if he would be playing. Just let him go !!!!
Again, I disagree with this move by the Islanders. Like I have said before, in my opinion he should still be in Juniors, then he would also be attending this tournament. They should have let him go, honestly is he really losing valuable experience?
so for selfish reasons we should let the kid lose out on such a valuable experience? I think we can deal for 13 games
I still favor sending him to the WJC, but this is win-win for the Islanders. They either get his continued development in the NHL, or they have a chance to see him on the world stage. I hope they end up sending him to Ottawa, but, if not, I look forward to cheering him on in an Isles uniform the rest of the season.
You watch. The minute they send him to the WJC the media story will be the Isles are unhappy with his play but can’t send him to Windsor, so they’ve “demoted” him to the junior tournament. He should stay here. The loaded Team Canada is as beneath him as playing on a loaded Windsor team at this point
Did anybody ever think that Bailey would rather stay here in the NHL then go play in the WJC? Snow might have given him the choice and he turned it down. He is playing in the best league in the world why would he want to go play in a junior tournament instead? I realize how big the tourny is but his goal is to play in the NHL and that’s where he is.
Jax…:
YOU my friend, are 100% correct!
He belongs in the NHL!
DOC
He should stay with the islanders. Although the points are not there yet, he has shown that he belongs with the big boys.
I agree 100% to let him play in the WJC, lets see how he stacks up against Tavares and Hedeman. Let him play against the best competition his age. The Islanders are on the road to a top 2 pick. He can rejoin us in January.
glad bailey is staying because he okposo neilson, comeau, bergy, streit and hunter are the only reasons i watch..rest of the team will not be here when we get good…dump/trade/release..(although i hope a healthy witt would be here because he is like our paul o’neill when healthy…
Does it make a difference if he “stacks” up against Tavares or Hedmen?
How can you even make that comparison…? it’s not a one on one game it’s a team sport. How he plays with the Islanders against other NHL teams is all that matters to me.
I don’t even know if those guys (Tavares and Hedmen) are in the tournement.
I could care less about the WJC anyway.
What if Bailey had a bad tournament? Would we then think that he doesn’t belong with the Islanders against better competition?
There is nothing to be gained by having him play at the WJC.
DOC
Bailey showed long ago that he does not belong in juniors. I was and am indifferent to him playing in the WJC. Here is here and that is fine. Hopefully Fritz stays with the team as well.
I hope that Penner rumor wasn’t an EK, I refuse to go look.
CB,
Bailey is not the only “junior NHLer” that is being held from the competition. So, for once, I’m going to take my personal heat off of Mr. Snow. Can you get us some info on the others who will be held back.
I still think he should go, but nobody’s done any favors for the Islanders recently… and if that’s Garth’s way of thinking. You go girl!
Little Nicky Sunshine… and I mean that in the most respectful way. I envy your enthusiasm, and positive outlook on Islander life. Can you take a look at our defense through those Orange and Blue colored glasses of yours and tell me nice things about the Islanders defense of the future.
Will there be rabbits there George? Can I feed the rabbits… can I pet the rabbits?
Peace!
Doc, you don’t even know if they are in the tournement? You obviously don’t pay attention to the younger talent that is on its way to the NHL. Even if Bailey isn’t in the WJC, make sure you watch this tournement.. I have been hooked since 2004. I would love to see Bailey match up with the other great players in the WJC. I honestly don’t have the heart to watch this kid play with older vets on the Isles that have no future on this team. If he is gonna play with the younger guys on the Isles, fine.
I could really care less…..If he wants to go, let him go, if not, more power to him in the NHL.
Three days from now, one way or the other, it will be a non-story.
(Unless Grapes decides to make an issue out of it on Saturday).
I’m sure I am missing out on some very entertaining hockey, but to be honest… time is definitely a factor in not watching the WJC. As far as Tavares and Hedmen… I would rather watch Bailey as an Islander… I guess that is my only point.
DOC
Lets consider the possibility that they talked to Josh about this. Of course he is going to say what an honor it would be to play- because it would- but he also really REALLY wants to be in the NHL. They may have weighed it out with him and they might be “keeping” him from going somewhere that he isnt dying to go to, anyway… although he could never actually come out and say that. It really is a possibility.
There will be rabbits, and puppies, and we’ll all live on a farm built on Celebration Plaza to raise them!
As for a positive outlook…it’s all I have considering the amount of times this team’s kicked me in the teeth. Have to look forward because what I see when I look behind isn’t too good.
Seriously, about the defense….Witt is clearly still hurt, Martinek can’t be counted on to stay healthy, Meyer is a very solid d-man when healthy, Streit and Campoli have been great, Sutton does the little things to help the team (though I wish he’d be more disciplined), and I’m losing confidence in Gervais as an NHL defenseman. I would love to see Matt Gilroy from my alma mater replace Martinek next year, since he’s big (6′2), durable, has great wheels, and a great shot. I would also love to slide Jack Hillen into the lineup, though I’m not sure where (look at how Meyer plays against Ottawa….if he can stay healthy he can do that consistently. Watched him at BU before he signed with Philly, and I knew that if he could play a physical game in the NHL at his size he’d be something).
Garth Snow has a plan for this Islanders team. And part of his plan is the development of bailey. He feels the best development for bailey is to stay on the team and you cannot argue with that thought because Garth Snow and the rest of the front office knows more about this than any of us fans.
What if Bailey went to WJC, didn’t play well and then when he got back looked completely lost, and then the Isles said it wasn’t a good idea to send him there….Of course it could be the other way around but thats obviously not what the Isles are thinking
Nick,
Did you read what you just wrote? Our future hinges on two guys that are 33 now in Witt and Sutton. Both of which are currently making haneous mistakes because they are mentally and physically spent playing the “pre-pinch”. three of the four remaining defenseman are consistently injured, and then there’s Streit who is a joy to watch. But if we were in the real world where fans wanted their team to win(like Montreal)… he might need to reign it in a little.
I’d really like to see Hillen, and Hedman make this a more solid defense… and I would be a little happier.
But the next time you see Sutton (even if he feeds Hunter for a pretty goal) or Witt behind the offensive goal line think of me… pulling out what little hair I have left.
PS… after you confirmed the existence of the rabbits you were supposed to type “BANG!”… and I would have stopped posting on this thread. A missed opportunity for sure.
The positive future of the defense are Harmonic, Neimi, and Ness. Perhaps a few others. However, the Isles need lots more and big, mean, tough, and talented d-men.
I hope Witt is only not fully up to speed and that it isn’t he has slowed down.
I too have totally lost faith in Geravis.
I feel positive about Hillen but the defense and center position are the two that have to be addressed big time for the team to get anywhere. They have plenty of wingers and good goaltending depth.
Drafting Hedman or Tavares will be a HUGE step forward especially if followed up by more of the right kind of defense and centers.
Organizationally at center is not too bad but still missing that elite guy, the LaFontaine type.
chris, do you consider this blog lobby-esque in some way? i always wondered whether your writing and fan lobbying in general has any influence on decision whatsoever. I would normally think an absolute NO, but in this era where all things are digital and online social networks (forums, communities) are rampant, I find the voice of the fans and key bloggers being such a PRIMARY source of news and in-depth discussions on various topics in sports, sometimes more insightful and VALUABLE than senior management.
Do you feel there’s AMY influence?
Personally, I think it would be STUPID for Sr Management NOT TO LISTEN to the passionate community. The value in CROWDS is often much higher than in any small team of “experts” working in the organization….that’s what I believe anyway.
Your thoughts?
The WJC is not acknowledged by the NHL as worthy enough to shut down the season for a while, nor is the senior World Championships. Much like soccer teams in Europe (I’m sure you could give a f…, but anyway) the Islanders won’t send away one of their better and more talented players to international play that is not “sanctioned” by the league. This is the big league. Bailey is on pace for 35 assists if he was to play for 82 games this season. When he starts getting confidence by putting his first goal he will up the point per game ratio and get into Calder consideration. (The latter is mostly my big hope for the season).
Man, I think this season is way more exciting than last. When Nielsen and Okposo get back in it this team is gonna be a fun watch.
Also, you really can’t blame Garth Snow for any of his moves since becoming GM. I’m ready to discuss any suggestions here. Jon Sim has really frustrated me a lot this season with lazy penalties and bad defensive play. I’m sure he could be effective on another team, here’s to hoping someone picks him off waivers, it would be a better fit for all parties involved. Many are critical about Snow having Sillinger on the team in addition to the likes of Weight and Guerin. I think the waiver move on Sim signals that Snow is aware of how many veterans there are on this rebuilding team, but that he sees a guy like Sillinger valuable to help the youngsters. Hell, maybe Silli can teach Bailey how to win 80% of his face-offs!
Awful that Pock is up and Callahan got sent down.
Strummer…
I wouldn’t put Ness in the category of the type of young D-men that the Isles are looking for right now, at least in the near future.
Got an in law from way up dare now dontcha know part of MN who has watched this kid from pee-wees.
Great skater, great hands, great shot….but SIZE is an issue. He was surprised when he heard the Isles drafted Ness so high. His first thought was maybe the Isles were looking at him as a potential winger. But then he thought maybe the kid has a lot (cuz apparently he needs it) of physical growth potential (they can check for that kind of stuff now)which would justify him as an NHL D-man.
Either way I wouldn’t be counting on him as an up and coming D-man just yet…At least 4 years (hence U of M)to get some size.
Just FYI.
I’ll reply to the negative comments on Ness’s behalf once more. Go see him play. He’s got the purest hockey sense you could imagine and is not the kind of player that really need a big body to succeed. The games I saw him he outsmarted and outskated forwards rather than taking hits. I agree that the Isles need physical D-prospects, but this guy simply don’t need that. It’s premature to compare him to anyone in the NHL right now, but I won’t be surprised if he turns into a Rafalski kind of player. It will be exciting to watch his college career the next couple of seasons.
I’ll slightly agree with you on the time perspective though. He could play past his sophmore season at UM and would probably benefit from AHL experience after that.
Anyway, it’s impossible to forecast a career for such a young player. It’s just like the draft. But compared to other draftees on both the Gophers and the Badgers in the Borderbattle, this guy stood out in my opinion.
My only negative comment was his size.
Yes, I have heard (from the in law) that Ness is one of the smartest players he has EVER seen. Mea Culpa for originally omitting that.
not to sound cocky here -but who says Bailey would even be lock to make team canada in the first place
just because you are good enough to play in the nhl doesnt mean you can come in as a walk on at the canadian camp
How does one watch the WJC here in the USA if ya don’t subscribe to the NHL Network?
I’m willing to bet that if CB wrote that he felt it was wise for Bailey to stay in the NHL then the vote would have been the polar opposite.
The NHL is the top hockey league in the world and is where Bailey should be. Isn’t it better to see how you stack up against the best in the world rather than how you stack up against just those in your age bracket? He’s already been drafted, signed, and his contract has kicked in …what does he need to prove to anyone about how he compares to those in his age bracket anymore?
AZS, we all have our opinion on the subject. I don’t believe anyone is following blindly.
Not giving up the crusade, CB? Scorpios don’t give up on anything, until they absolutely have to.
You’re only 19 once. You don’t get these chances back. I would still like to see Josh play for his country.
professionals play hockey in the NHL, not Junior Hockey leagues. Josh Bailey is a professional for the rest of his playing career.
CORRECT decision to not send him to the junior tournament. If he went, that would be 13 less games he would have with Doug Weight. Bailey needs to be with Weight as long as possible. That is the type of player Bailey is most likely going to be. He can learn 1000 times more from him than playing against much much lower competition. Why all of a sudden is playing against worse competition peoples plan for developement?
7th Woman, with all due respect you seem more interested in the appearance of some of the players than you do on their skill levels. So, save your comments for you own blog …where people can read hard hitting stories about Dina …
When Bailey was 1st drafted people killed Snow because they didn’t know anything about Bailey because all they had read about were the top 5 guys. After the draft people praised Snow because publications said Snow did a great job of restocking the system - so please don’t tell me that people don’t listen to what they read.
Islanders won’t send away one of their better and more talented players to international play that is not “sanctioned” by the league
There is a commercial on now, done by the NHL, that shows a number of current NHLers who got their “start” at the WJC. There have been cases in the past where NHL players have played in the tournament. So, just because the league doesn’t shut down for it, doesn’t mean it isn’t sanctioned.
That said, I think the Isles are in a win-win situation here. I’d rather see him play at the WJC, but if he doesn’t that it 100% OK with me too, as long as they are doing it for the right reasons, and not because “he could get hurt”
He’s an NHLer he belongs in the NHL. He should consider anything else an insult. Ok, that’s a bit drastic but really, he has proven he belongs here. There is no better place to learn the NHL game then playing in the NHL against real NHL players.
For those of you who want to watch the WJC in the United States, the NHL network is carrying all the games of Team USA and Team Canada. If you have Center Ice, I believe you can catch a larger chunk of the games on there as well.
NHL network is available on cable with the IO SportsPak… only a minor personal violation on your wallter towards your already too much money cable bill at $6.95 extra a month.