NEXT STEP FOR BAILEY: THE AHL PLAYOFFS
If Sound Tigers qualify, NYI feel Bailey will benefit
12:40 pm, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum: Now that the Islanders are all but mathematically eliminated from the playoff race, the team believes it would be a boon to the development of some of their younger players if Bridgeport can qualify for the American Hockey League postseason.
The Sound Tigers are in a battle with Lowell, Wilkes-Barre and Norfolk for the sixth, seventh and eighth and final playoff berths in the Eastern Conference with five games left in the season.
Among the young Islanders on Bridgeport’s playoff roster are defensemen Andrew MacDonald, Dustin Kohn (still out with a concussion) and Dylan Reese and – most notably – forward Josh Bailey. The Islanders’ first round pick in 2008 has played 137 games in the National Hockey League, but not a single one in the minors.
“Being in the AHL playoffs would be a important experience for Josh,” Islanders head coach Scott Gordon said today. “You get an expanded role. He would learn about the intensity that comes with the playoffs. The seven-game series is non-stop. There is a different kind of preparation. There is very little practice time. It’s all about being prepared for the grind of the series.
“When I was in Providence, David Krejci really opened some eyes with his performance during the playoffs. (The future Bruin was 3-13-16 in 13 playoff games for Gordon). Whether it’s Josh or any of our young guys, I hope they get the opportunity in Bridgeport.”
Since Bailey has been shuffled between center and wing this season, I asked Gordon if he sees the 20-year-old as one or the other, and if the coach feels a decision should be made in the near future.
“I haven’t personally locked Josh into anything,” said Gordon. “As a young player, it’s a great asset for Josh and the team for him to be capable at both.”
In 137 games with the Islanders, Bailey has 22 goals and 37 assists for 59 points.
*
Notes: The Islanders had an optional practice this morning at the Coliseum. Ten players participated.
The team may not have much to play for standings-wise, but Gordon will demand a level of professionalism and accountability for the final six games of the season. “There is a right way and a wrong way to play the game,” said the coach. “No matter who we’re playing or what the situation is, we need to go out and perform. The Flyers, Ottawa, Montreal…I want to see us at our best.”
The Islanders are now telling season ticketholders that the additional price hike if they do not pay by April 15 is not an interest charge. Instead, fans paying before April 15 are benefiting from “pricing advantages.”
Another post to come later today. Comments related to this one are welcomed.
69 Responses to NEXT STEP FOR BAILEY: THE AHL PLAYOFFS
If Sound Tigers qualify, NYI feel Bailey will benefit
-
Anthony says:
Until he Islanders show that they are serious about putting a team on the ice that can compete for the Stanley Cup, I don’t understand why anyone would buy a season ticket–It sends the wrong message.
-
NYICHAMP39 says:
I think the Islanders are going to be mighty upset by the amount of renewals when its all said and done. The end of last year left us with the 1st pick in the draft and the excitement of drafting Tavares. After another very poor season that is ending without the “excitement” of last season I dont see many re-upping for next season. Personally my family fell off the season ticket bandwagon a couple of years ago around 2007. My dad refused to cough up money for a team that didnt come to play. Since then we have attended 5 to ten games a year for dirt cheap bc there are always so many tickets available. Now, its not so much that the players dont come to play, its just that we arent a good team and our owner/GM are not willing to improve outside of the draft. So, I hope they get whats coming to them. Another season of empty seats and probably some of the lowest season ticket sales in the league. Maybe they will wake up eventually and start doing things right. Maybe then me and my family will come back.
-
hale78 says:
jt is not on the roster…and he shouldn’t be..he should be in the weight room the second the season ends..ala josh bailey from last season
-
MorDraftPicks says:
Bailey belongs at Bridgeport.
-
As I tried to jam into a tweet, I can’t believe they may send Bailey to the AHL playoffs. Not that it wouldn’t help him – I’m sure it would. But can you imagine being Bailey?
He must be thinking “how many games do I have to play before I’m a real player on the team, like Trent Hunter, or Sean Bergenheim?”
If I were him, I’d hate the feeling of getting better all year, then going to play for a team I’m not attached to, during games that are more intense. The perfect equation for injury. I’d hate that I’m not a “real Islander” yet, and that I’d feel like some stock they’re trying to make more valuable.
You know how it is when you’re a teenager. You just want to be treated like an adult. I bet he’s super annoyed at the idea (but will say all the right things).
-
battfist says:
I disagree. These guys are at the eilte level because of their talent and due to the fact that they love playing hockey.
The last thing going through Bailey’s head is if he a “real” Islander. Bailey knows he has a roster spot next season.
-
Tim F. says:
I don’t think the Isles have really thought through the message that they are sending to the fans with the new season ticket renewal policy. Instead of taking the fan-friendlier approach of “If you build it, they will come” the team is sending the message of, “If you don’t come, we won’t build it.” This may not be the team’s intended message, but when it comes to marketing, the consumer’s perception is everything.
-
admin says:
Tavares is not going to Bridgeport. Next! CB
-
Chris Mc says:
I dont like Bailey going to Bridgeport for the playoffs bc of something Justin touched on. The chances of injury, especially in intense playoff games, is great. Do you really want to risk a concussion or serious knee injury so he can game 5-7 games of playoff experience (unless the Sound Tigers advance)? I think Bailey and the young Islanders would benefit more from a couple weeks off and then an extensive summer training program. I’ll be crossing my fingers that nothing happens to JB or the rest of the Isles playing in the AHL playoffs.
-
Staten Islander says:
Bailey has looked MUCH better at wing than at center.
-
The New Isles GM says:
Going to Bridgeport is a great opportunity for our young guns…there not getting any playoff type games here right now and Bailey will be put in a situation where he will be expected to lead…his role will be more focused on Bridgeport and he will act as a captain with his experience in the pro’s…Hillen and Okposo did it last year and you could see the maturity and leadership they provided on the ice. They’re going to raise everyone elses game and hopefully bring a championship to Bridgeport. Bailey among others will have plenty of time to hit the weight room and get stronger for next year….
As for season ticket holders….do you know its cheaper to just buy tickets the day of the game, especially with your student discount if you have a school id, then it is to buy season tickets? Also, what happens if you can’t make it to the game, you can’t even sell them for face value because the Islanders practically give tix away. The pricing model is bogus….funny how supply and demand works in Islanders country.
-
jimisles says:
Bailey for sure will gain the experience playing in Bridge for the playoffs. I have seen the AHL during the postseason and it is intense.
-
Brian G says:
the Islanders Organization should be kissing the a** of all of the season ticket holders that they still have instead of alienating them.
My wife was given some Yashin bobbleheads for a prize last week at the game….cheap skates
-
Frankie D says:
We need to do what Giant fans did back in the early 80s. Stop going to games. Management got the message and signed some premier players and the Giants were Superbowl Champs in 86. I can’t say for sure this would work. This management would probably sell the team.
-
Lorne says:
The Reps can threaten to release your seats all they want if you do not pay by the deadline, no one is waiting to snag them. The consensus from everyone who comments on this blog is no one should make up their mind about renewing until at least July 10th. It still baffles me about the price increase as well, that only adds insult to injury.
-
Jim Clark says: How many other non-playoff teams send their young players down to the minors so they can get post season ice time? It may not be a bad idea but what happens if he gets injured, especially by a minor league goon?
-
tom kurvers says:
Hypothetically, even if the fans all agreed to pay thi increase in tickets prices, how are we “the fans” going to trust that the islanders will put our money to good use? Since the ticket prices are going up, does that mean our payroll will too?
-
Hola says:
Frankie–The Giants season tickets have been sold out with a waiting list since Yankee stadium days. And, in 1986 era, there was no free agency. So, your argument is off base here.
-
To add to my comment, the team did not even want the first payment until around July 15th or so. Now over the last couple of years, everything is due April, what gives?
-
Sneekypete says:
14…..Many teams send there elligible youth to the AHL for the playoffs. Much like the NHL, AHL teams don`t really dress there goons in the playoffs and the ones that do get dressed see minimal minutes.
-
1972 means I'm Old says:
13: The Giants fans actually bought their tickets to burn, which sent a stronger message. One guy even flew an airplane that ran a banner: NO MORE LOUSY FOOTBALL!I don’t think non-consumers of Wang’s goods will be paid any attention to by Wang’s peeps. Also, the NFL stepped into Mara’s 1950s-style management system and salvaged the franchise by suggesting they hire a brilliant GM, the late, great George Young. I don’t see Bettmann getting that involved at all. Being half-glass-empty, I just see this organization flopping around aimlessly until the plug is pulled in 2015 and they’re gone…
-
James says:
In other news, the team announced you’re no longer paying for parking, either. Instead, you’ll be paying a nominal Vehicular Property Access Fee prior to each game.
And while they’re pleased to announce no increase in ticket prices, there may be an increase in the Coliseum Access Authorization and Reserved Seating Fee.
It’s all in how you word it.
-
(Sim)ple says:
Ticket reps can call it whatever they want but they get what they deserve and will have a terrible renewal rate. I personally will not spend money on tickets at the Nassau Coliseum until 1 of 3 things occur: 1) Sign a proven D-man over 6-foot 2) Sign a proven physical player 3) More information on where this team will be playing home games in 2015 and beyond.
-
dose says:
i still see bailey in another year or two as a brent sutter kind of solid two-way center-iceman who is tough (not a fighter), tenacious and a leader further on down the road. if the coach and management see the ahl playoffs as a real value to him and he has a problem with it, then i’d say i misjudged the kid. i bet he doesn’t.
-
Priest says:
#17 reminds me of the Blue Jays this year, who “didn’t raise prices except in one section.” They don’t mention:
a) That one section is about 1/2 the stadium
b) They modified their tiered pricing structure so that instead of 4 tiers, there are two, priced at the same as the top two tiers last year.
c) They combined sections of the stadium, and set the price at whatever the most expensive section was before.All teams do the same kind of BS when it comes to raising prices. Year after year they announce no increases, yet somehow the cost is always going up.
-
pat says:
Just like the gas stations charging you more for using a credit card but phrasing it “giving you a discount for using cash”. What a Fn joke we’ve become. And the worst of all is, if we had a good team no one would even complain about this stuff.
-
Frankie, the Giants incident you’re thinking about was in ’78, after The Fumble and before Young and Perkins were hired
-
You are correct Staten Islander, it was 78′
-
HOLA- I said signed, but I meant traded for. It was after George Young took over as GM. Staten Islander corrected me, it was 1978. The games may have been a sellout, but there were many empty seats in the stands. It sent a message.
-
Hollywood says:
The Baily project is too late. I don’t see the need to play him in Bridgeport. He should’ve played at the Bridge last year. Josh is a winger, Schremp is the center along with JT and Nielson. I can see Josh being a scaled down Doug Weight maybe scoring 18 goals and 30 assists. Schremp has way more game!
-
Hockey1919 says:
I don’t beleive Bailey was eligible for the AHL last season due to his age, I thought it was NHL or Juniors for under 20 years old. Not sure if the same eligibility applies to Tavares this year, so the point is probably moot.
-
Jromo says:
Can someone shed some light as to what the eligibilty requirements are to be on the AHL post-season roster. Is Tavares eligible?
-
SCLI says:
Finally the Islanders know what we all have known for quite sometime now. They are out of the PO hunt.
-
JT is eligible for the AHL because he’s already played 4 seasons in juniors. He’s not going to the AHL so let’s move along here.
-
pritchett54 says:
I think we are finally developing players the correct way. The last Islanders draft pick to score 20 goals for the franchise was zigmund palffy. Pretty scary. Hopefully, we will continue to have patience with our draft picks and not give up on them too early. I hope Snow doesnt read the message boards and think that they are right. Seemingly on a nightly basis the fans are unhappy with nearly every player on the roster including roloson as well as wanting to fire snow and have wang sell the team. Patience…….
-
303Joe says:
Nice Isles blow another lead and you give them a optional skate the next day. Let them stay at home and sleep all day why make them wake up and actually do something after blowing another lead. Brilliant.
-
ny711ot says:
I’m more curious as to who is blowing off these ‘optional’ practices. Less than 50 percent turnout for the last two to me is a sign of lack of commitment. They are usually lite practices anyway and the banged up guys can get on the bike. But 10 guys? Cmon …cb who was there at this and the last one…??
-
IslesJT27 says:
I am a STH and I am amazed at their lack of concern for how we feel. I have had season tickets for over 10 years and have been a fan since the glory days. I had a friend that had season tickets in the 80′s and he gave them up in the mid 90′s when he got to the point where he couldn’t give away the tickets. Thru the rest of the 90′s we would go to games, buy the cheapest tickets and sit wherever we wanted. When they went out and got Yashin, Peca, & Osgood I finally went for the gusto and got 4 season tickets. Now it seems like it is coming full circle. The place is empty more than not and I can barely give away the tickets, granted the “on ice team” is better than the dark years in the 90′s. My problem is that as someone that has spent close to 100K over the last 10 years on this team they don’t value that loyalty. My last package was a 2yr package with parking included paid out over 14 monthly installments. With the “new plan” I will see my cost go up 23% without parking, if I choose to pay over 8 monthly payments. In the economic times we live in with my business suffering, how do they justify this kind of increase to the loyal STH? I will have to go back to buying single game tickets until they can prove to me that are serious about putting a winning product on the ice. It is a shame that this is what it has come to but until they show us a little love, I will show them none back. I feel like an abused parent that finally has to kick the freeloading child out the door.
-
Eastonhockey says:
When I was a kid in the spring as islander fans we spent time getting excited about if bossy would hit 60 goals…trottier n lafontaine would win rookie of year awards…now with this cover band version of the islanders we get excited about our best young players going back to the minor leagues….oh boy have times changed
-
Patience? The Islanders haven’t won a playoff series since the 1992-93 season, and have missed the playoffs 11 out of 16 seasons. Patience is just about out of gas.
-
Mikey Mitts says:
We need to loose hunter, park and Bergenhiem. As for these tickets, they are making jerks out of us but the Islanders are a roll model for Gary Bettmans new NHL. Where the fan just foots the bill for everything.
-
Dr. Drew says:
Don’t the Islanders get all concession revenue now? I will pass on a $100 ticket to the game as being too expensive, but at $40 or less, I will go and I have four brews at a cost of about $35, and a hot dog and a pretzel for another $10. Then I pay $7 parking. When the ticket price is $100, the Islanders lose $50 in concession revenue that they would get from me. By pricing me out on tickets, the Isles lose a total of $90 in revenue from me per game. If the average fan spends a modest $30 on concessions per game (two beers, a hot dog and a pretzel), and you price seats so as to bring in 4,000 more fans, you make $120,000 per game. That takes care of DP’s contract right there.
-
Diane says:
I don’t get what the big problem is with Bailey going to help with the AHL playoffs. Didn’t Okposo and others go last year? How about the year before?
And as for the “he might get injured” argument, that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard today. There hasn’t been a huge chance of getting injured in ‘the league where these soft/young kids have to play with big tough men’ all season?? LOL! Come up with a better one.
It’s hockey. They love to play. It’s for a couple of weeks and is also a change of pace. I can’t imagine he isn’t somewhat psyched to give it a go. And if he can help them get farther so much the better for him.
I agree so far he’s played better on wing but think that might just be inexperience in the league. Everybody says its a lot harder in the NHL. Not sure since I’ve never played….
-
Scott says:
Not an interest charge? Hah! That’s like saying Snow really was going to try and improve the team this past season to make the playoffs. What a laugh!
-
EdTurner says:
The saddest part of this post CB is the headline “THE AHL PLAYOFFS – If Sound Tigers qualify”.
WOW! That says a lot of the NYI future.
-
boss15 says:
43 aside from JT JB and KO most of the isles talent is in the lower levels, the long term future is not as bleak as it may seem.
-
19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
Any hockey experience at the professional level will benefit Josh Bailey … especially the intensity of the playoffs. He’s going to need that playoff experience … because I expect this to be the last year the Isles miss the playoffs for the next 20 years. What has become of this franchise should never ever happen again.
-
AJAX says:
After next season, KO and JB both go RFA. Should be interesting. Oh, yeah … we also pay Yashin 4.75 mill next season.
-
Eric says:
#46 most of the Islander prospects are not with bridgeport. The Islanders 2 best defensive prospects, 2 good goalie prospects, petrov are not with bport. Bailey should have started with bport or in juniors last season and maybe event his season being called up to join the islanders. The islanders rushed Bailey. I hope it does not hurt him like it did Connolly, who by the way is a solid player that just gets hurt a lot. I think Baiely can be as good as Connolly if not better.
-
Don't Mind the Haters says:
I hope Bailey wears his old 89 number, and regains his scorers mentality.
Double, triple shift the guy. Give him a big head and a boost of confidence for next year with the Isles.
-
Strummer's Army says:
What is interesting is if the Isles draft Sequien then they have Tavares, Sequien, and Nielsen as the top three centers. Bailey will play LW but Schremp is only a center as Gordon said, he’s not a 4th line center either so that makes him trade bait.
-
DoubleW says:
CB – What would be realistic expectations of young Josh in BP? point a game?
-
Jeff says:
Isles need to stay focused for the next six games and avoid picking up any needless points. As of now, it’s all about the draft pick.
-
Viper says:
Go Bridgeport,go and lose isles lose! We should be giving Gillies top line minutes and special teams every game!
-
Hoser14 says:
With all the piss’n'moaning about next year’s season tickets renewal and the less bang for more bucks, should remember that when the owers, players and the player’s agents say it’s all about the the fans, it’s really about the fan’s money.
The only thing the fans can do is vote with their feet and wallets. Either you stay home or if you go to the game, get cheaper tickets and refuse to buy over-priced food and drinks.
While this year’s on-ice product was an improvement over last years product, but as that may be, the fan experience was no frills, no programs, no media guides (flash-drives don’t count), few promotional giveaways and non-existant radio and media coverage.
-
raul17 says:
Ray, I don’t think Tavares would have been eligible for the AHL playoffs. Yes, he did play four seasons of Jrs, but he also started a year earlier than what’s allowed and would not be an “over-age” player. Playing at Bridgeport will will be a plus for Bailey; at least four more games to develope his game. No different than a young baseball player in the winter league.
As former season ticket holder for the Devils, I didn’t get price increase after the Devils WON the cup yet the Isles are expecting their holders to pay for an increase after two disappointing season!! Beccause of the economy, they should have allowed holders to renew at last years’ prices giving a discount(?) for early renewees and those who renew late pay the new fee. But public relations doesn’t seem to be important to the organization.
-
BringBackNyles says:
I still can’t believe the Islanders are still giving out Yashin bobbleheads! Can you imagine any other team doing this? Congrats! Your the Mets fan of the game! here is a bobblehead of Mo Vaughn and a poster of Scott kazmir!
We are a disgrace
-
geduffer says:
Tavares would have been AHL eligible despite his age because he already played four years of junior. He was not placed on the BST Clear Day roster, so is not eligible to play for Bridgeport.
-
Barney Stinson says:
I don’t see what the big deal is about Josh going to the AHL. Yes, he might get injured, but he might get injured in tomorrow’s game too. Maybe he should sit it out since it the game doesn’t mean anything anyway.
If you were a player, who loved playing, and your team wasn’t making the playoffs, wouldn’t you want to keep playing?
I know when I was younger and playing (not in NHL obviously) I would play with anyone who was willing, and anywhere “bodies were needed”, as the saying went.
Let the kid play and have some fun.
Suit up.
-
Onesinceforty says:
You will know the Islanders are really committed to development when the team participates in one of the prospect tournaments before camp.
That is what they should be doing instead of this BS to China. -
beatlebailey says:
I too am a STH since ’03 who signed up for 2 years last year (off of a dead last finish!..talk about loyalty) I offered to buy tix for another year but at the same price and with free parking…ticket rep said they could not do that..I also had to call my rep to get a $50 certficiate that was one of my STH benefits…never got it in the mail like I was supposed to. The OrganIzation is 100% mickey mouse. Needless to say I am not going to extend another year after next unless and until we actually make the playoffs. F Wang if this is how he treats the 3K season account holders!!! Sell the effing team already!
-
Walt says:
Fortune Cookie say Dump six for the pix.
-
mht says:
Reading what is posted by others on this blog upsets me and makes me question whether if they ever will truly become a major league sports franchise.In 1998 {pre-Charles Wang:Millstein/Gluckstern ownership era}a friend of mine owned a company that produced promotional items,and the NY Islanders were one of his accounts.He was in the Islanders corporate offices at the Nassau Coliseum and he had to contact his manufacture to find out about an impending give away.He had to dial area code 212 to check up on this order and he politely asked the receptionist if he could use their phone.The Islanders refused to allow my friend to dial a 212 phone call.Now that is ancient history,but after reading that they still give out Yashin bobbleheads,you have to scratch your head.
-
How do you send a guy whose played 2 full years in the NHL to the AHL playoffs? And what if he has a terrible series? Sounds ridiculous to me.
-
Mike from Sarasota says:
If those of you predicting Bailey to be a 40-50pt a season two-way player are correct, I will consider the 2008 Draft a colossal failure. When you are drafting fifth overall you need to land impact players. Not ‘nice’ players. That is not a knock on Josh. He’s a good player and could be a piece of the puzzle. I just don’t think you spend top-5 picks on that piece.
And after watching him for two seasons, and looking at his skill-set, I am worried where he fits long term. Seems to me that the Islanders already have a better version of a non-physical, smart, two-way center in Nielsen. Can you win with Tavares-Bailey-Nielsen up the middle? Seems too soft to me. So I guess he’s a winger?
-
2Bit says:
If we picked fifth & chose the person everyone seemed to want (Filatov) we’d have nothing. Josh has shown improvement and I think he’ll only get better. Hope the Sound Tigers get into the playoffs & they all play well, then we’ll have something to be excited about.
Also hope the Isles beat Philly. No matter if we get the 3rd, 4th or 5th pick in the draft, we may not get the man we want, but the man we need.
-
billy says:
Bailey looks like he’s playing hurt right now as he has been invisible on most nights since he came back from injury after the olympic break.
Getting him some playoff games is a no brainer.
So funny how he has so many nhl games but no ahl games. It’s like the opposite of darren helm (i think) from the red wings where he didn’t play reg season games but went to 2 cup finals in a row. hahaha -
Ricky T says:
Agree with 66 – The Isle’s “core” will not develop into a cup contender without major pieces. They have a few nice young players, each with MAJOR holes in their game. I think it’s wishful thinking to believe that experience will make them top tier stars. Good players yes, but not the top flight players usually needed to win a cup. That’s why the draft is so important to this team. They will not buy that talent at this point, so barring incredible luck with lower round draft picks, the only way they become a true contender is to get the highest picks possible. This doesn’t guarantee the best players, but it certainly increases their chances of getting them. They will still need to fill in with at least a couple of FA’s with size and some fighting ability or the young players they have may never be given the best chance to develop to whatever potential they might have.
The season ticket reps can say anything they want, but I won’t renew if I have to pay more for this crappy product than I did this season and I won’t renew if I’m paying for parking.